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Mind-controlled Flying Buddy 2 drone gives the disabled a new vantage point

Mind-controlled Flying Buddy 2 drone gives the disabled a new vantage point

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Researchers at Zhejiang Univeristy's CCNT lab have modified an AR.Drone quadracopter, allowing the craft to be controlled by an Emotiv EEG headset.

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Flying Buddy 2 quadracopter
Flying Buddy 2 quadracopter

Researchers at Zhejiang Univeristy's CCNT lab have modified an AR.Drone quadracopter, allowing the craft to be controlled by an Emotiv EEG headset. New Scientist reports that the drone, dubbed Flying Buddy 2, translates thoughts — or more specifically, brain waves — into motion. Think "push" or "clench," and the craft will rise or fall. Blink repeatedly, and the drone will capture an image with its camera. The Emotiv headset sends the commands to a laptop over a Bluetooth connection, which relays instructions to the drone over a wireless connection. While designed to give the disabled freedom to explore their surroundings, the researchers also demonstrated a game involving dueling drones battling for control over a ring. Check out the video below to see the Flying Buddy 2 in action.