|
A computer program that enables paralysed patients to
create artwork using just the power of their brains has drawn big crowds
at CeBIT, the world's top IT fair.
Under the intendiX system pioneered by Austrian firm g-tec, the user
wears a cap that measures brain activity.
By focusing hard on a flashing icon on a screen, the cap can recognise
the specific brain activity connected to that item, allowing the user to
"choose" what he or she wants the computer to do.
|
 |
The artist can select various shapes and colours via brainpower and
build up a basic picture on the screen, explained g-tec sales director
Markus Bruckner. The user can also draw straight lines.
"This is primarily for disabled people, paralysed people or people who
have suffered a stroke," he said.
|
 |
The idea came from an artist who had a friend paralysed in an accident
who loved painting. The artist wanted to find a way to let the friend
draw again, said Bruckner, adding that g-tec was the only company
offering this service.
Altogether, the system costs €12,000 ($15,000) including the
brainwave-reading cap, the computer software and the technology to
interpret the brain activity, said Bruckner.
|
 |
It has already been trialled successfully on severely disabled patients,
he added.
CeBIT, in the northern German city of Hanover, is the world's biggest
fair for high-tech, attracting this year about 4100 exhibitors from 70
countries. |