DIA Report Reveals Research into Thought-Controlled Devices Under AAWSA Program

Its central thesis is the pursuit of seamless integration between human thought and computer-controlled action, eliminating the need for limb-operated devices such as keyboards, joysticks, or touchscreens. The authors define the ultimate goal as thought-based operation of remote machinery during normal activities, without requiring shielded rooms, motionless stillness, or handheld controllers. To be practically useful, such systems must achieve data transfer rates exceeding 5–10 bits per second—termed high-bandwidth BMIs—and respond to commands within 300 milliseconds or less.

The document reviews both noninvasive and invasive detection technologies, including EEG, MEG, fMRI, and cortical implants, and concludes that noninvasive electrical monitoring is the most promising near-term commercial approach, while invasive single-neuron cortical connections represent the likely long-term path. This technical reference, part of a series of advanced technology reports from FY 2009, provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific and engineering challenges in creating thought-controlled devices, a topic with profound implications for…