Computers which are robots created by man to perform all the computing tasks, are being encouraged to develop a mind of their own and understand their creators better. They now are being programmed to respond to your emotions.

A new navigation system with the ability to provide emergency services with the quickest route while at the same time taking stress into account, has been developed by Trung Bui, a PhD candidate at the University of Twente. This dialogue system identifies users’ emotions and has the ability to react to them appropriately. (more…)

With all the technological advancements that have taken place, all our personal information is exposed to others, whether we like it or not. If there is one thing that we can call our own, it is our mind. We are actually on the verge of losing it too. We are not going harebrained but we are being subjected to mind reading by our own creations – the computers.

Researchers are turning computers into mind readers. They have created a computer that can look at the brain waves or scans and figure out what humans are thinking.

The brain is not exactly unexplored territory. Philosophers have long before pondered on the nature of thought that pulses through our gray matter and even used several serums, polygraphs, lobotomies and hypnotism to find out what the thoughts are.

However, the past few years have seen an extraordinary and unprecedented promise in the field of neurosciences, with scientists scanning the brain to find patterns of emotion and thought, which are the precursors for behavior and learning.

Brain waves are electrical brain activity patterns. This means, that brain cells communicate with each other by using electricity and neurotransmitters, which are chemicals. These brain waves can be altered by thoughts of different planned actions, such as moving a hand without actually moving the hand. (more…)

Like many things in science, what was once science fiction is now reality. Virtual reality was the stuff of science fiction movies less than twenty years ago, yet it is here in full form and common enough to be found in arcades and homes throughout the world.

Defining Virtual Reality

Anything that only seems real is considered virtual reality. The term virtual reality may bring to mind bulky helmets and awkward suits, but the virtual reality of today is much more compact than that. Even the latest game system, Nintendo Wii has virtual reality aspects.

Large Scale Virtual Reality

Large scale virtual reality is found throughout society in places you might expect and others you might not. The government uses virtual reality training simulators for military and space maneuvers. Airline pilots use virtual reality to stay brushed up on their flight skills. And kids in your neighborhood can tell you the best places to play virtual reality games.

Many arcades now carry virtual reality games or adventures. These systems are large and might involve a domed area or the helmets of science fiction virtual reality shows. You can now dance, run, shoot, play sports or more inside an alternate universe for a few quarters at a time. For others, they prefer their virtual reality at home.

Virtual Reality at Home

Virtual reality is available at home as well. The Wii from Nintendo has a specialized controller that can be used in a virtual sword fight or as a virtual golf club. Other games independent of the system allow for a virtual experience in any number of games or sports. Virtual reality will continue to grow in popularity and availability and may only be matter of time before we are all off on a grand adventure without ever leaving our chair.