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A ‘telepathy’ chip that allows people to control computers, televisions and light switches by the power of thought is being developed by British scientists. The tiny sensor would sit on the surface of the brain, picking up the electrical activity of nerve cells and passing the signal wirelessly to a receiver on the skull. The signal would then be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, operate electronic gadgets or steer an electric wheelchair. The chip is the brainchild of Dr Jon Spratley, 28, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who developed a prototype during his PhD at Birmingham University. 'We are just trying to help people with severe communication problems or motor neurone disease - like Dr Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve,' he said.
'What we have designed would allow them to control a computer with their thoughts. If they imagine their muscles moving, that could flick a light switch for example. 'It's an area that is being heavily researched in America but so far all the tests have involved wired sensors. This prototype uses wireless technology to remove the risk of infection and that's the real drive of our work.
'The eventual aim would be to see these systems fully working so they are available to help patients communicate. That's the future.'
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