Scientists from the Joint Research Center of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy have developed “adaptive brain interface technology” that allows people to control devices with their thoughts without requiring implanted electrodes.

The system uses a conductive gel cap, electroencephalograph, and Windows software to convert thoughts into a vector with 72 components. It maps brain patterns onto tasks such as choosing letters or controlling a wheelchair or computer game, differentiating among three to five abstract thoughts, such as “left,” “relax,” “cube” and “music.”