Researchers Take A Step Toward Mind-Controlled Robots

What if your friend the robot could tell what you're thinking, without you saying a word? Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and Boston University have created a system where humans can guide robots with their brainwaves. This may sound like a theory out of a sci-fi novel, but the goal of seamless human-robot interaction is the next major frontier for robotic research. For now, the MIT system can only handle simple binary activities such as correcting a robot as it sorts objects into two boxes, but CSAIL Director Daniela Rus sees a future where one day we could control robots in more natural ways, rather than having to program them for specific tasks -- like allowing a supervisor on a factory floor to control a robot without ever pushing a button. "Imagine you look at the robots, and at some point one robot is not doing the job correctly," Rus explained.