turns right and left, moves up and down, and even flies

through a ring, all on command from a controller,

who uses a special instrument.

And what is this instrument?

The controller's mind.

Here at the University of Minnesota, professor Bin He

and his team have engineered a noninvasive system,

called a brain/computer interface, that allows a person

to control a robot using only their thoughts.

Dr. He's team includes Alex Doud and Karl LaFleur.

For example, if you imagine making a fist

with your right hand, it turns the robot to the right.

And if you imagine making a fist with both hands,

it moves the robot up.

Here's how it works.

When the controller imagines a movement,

without actually moving, specific neurons

in the brain's motor cortex produce electric currents.

These currents are detected by electrodes in an EEG cap,

which sends the signals to the computer.

The computer translates the signal pattern into a command

and beams it to the robot via WiFi.

In this case, "turn right."

This brain/computer interface technology is all

about helping people with a disability

or various neurodegenerative diseases-to help them regain

mobility, independence, and enhanced performance.

We envision they'll use this technology

to help control wheelchairs,

artificial limbs, or other devices.

This has tremendous potential for people

who can't move or speak.

And the best part is it's completely noninvasive.

Nobody has to have a chip implanted in their brain to pick

up the neuronal activity.

We are very proud to have taken this step toward that goal.