Controlling objects with your mind sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but researchers with Braingate have announced a breakthrough in decoding brain waves picked up from sensor arrays embedded in a subjects head. In the latest case, 58 year old Cathy Hutchinson who is paralyzed in her arms and legs, was able to control a robotic arm to pick up her morning coffee, take a sip, and place the cup back on the table - completely through her thoughts which were picked up by the sensor.
Sophisticated sensor arrays about the size of a baby aspirin are attached to decoding devices which bridge the thoughts to movements in the robotic arm. In other cases subjects have been able to move a mouse on a computer screen again with just their thoughts. More research is under way to create more natural human-like movements in the robotics to facilitate functions like brushing teeth.