Swiss, Nissan research car that reads the driver's thoughts

Sep 28, 2011
The BCI simulator used in the lab

In the future, thinking about turning left may no longer be just a thought. Japanese auto giant Nissan and a Swiss university are developing cars that scan the driver's thoughts and prepares the vehicle for the next move.

"The idea is to blend driver and vehicle intelligence together in such a way that eliminates conflicts between them, leading to a safer motoring environment," said Jose del R. Millan, a professor at Swiss technological university EPFL who is leading the project.

The project uses " measurement, eye and by scanning the environment around the car in conjunction with the car's own " to forecast the driver's next move.

The vehicle then prepares itself for the manoeuvre by slowing down if necessary, or positioning slightly left or right.

An EPFL spokesman said the research would last four years, and that "at the end of that period, we hope to have a prototype ready."

Explore further: With high-tech guns, users could disable remotely

More information: actu.epfl.ch/news/nissan-teams-up-with-epfl-for-futurist-car-interfa/

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User comments : 8

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KillerKopy
3.7 / 5 (3) Sep 28, 2011
I'm sure nothing could go wrong.
Erscheinung
1.1 / 5 (7) Sep 28, 2011
Is it hard to steer a car? Why waste research grants trying to solve a non-problem? I get it that it's for students, but part of learning is to choose a worthy and practical study. Solutions to non-problems are a dime-a-dozen.
MentalHealthNut
3 / 5 (2) Sep 28, 2011
Ohhh... All of those times I think about how bad it would be if I TURN RIGHT INTO THIS CONSTRUCTION WALL!!
krundoloss
4.5 / 5 (2) Sep 28, 2011
This would be great if it were to train itself with the main driver of the car. For example, it might study how I change lanes, then the next time it will downshift quicker, tighten the suspension, and anticipate the manuever. Cars need ACTIVE and NOT PASSIVE supensions. The car needs to be able to lean, jump, and anticipate potholes, etc. Bose has been working on it, but its not perfected yet.
Erscheinung
3 / 5 (6) Sep 28, 2011
What if I'm thinking of boobies, how's the car going to react?
fmfbrestel
5 / 5 (3) Sep 28, 2011
Totally pointless, by the time they get this perfected cars will already be driving themselves.
Jimbaloid
5 / 5 (4) Sep 28, 2011
What if I'm thinking of boobies, how's the car going to react?


It will pull to the kerb and drive slowly.
rsklyar
not rated yet Sep 29, 2011
Some similar and plagiaristic research at Northwestern University: issuu.com/r_sklyar/docs/sklyarvsmussaivaldi

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