Remote-Controlled Humans. Say What?

Aug 15 2006, 3:00am CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

It's kind of creepy but in that "sweet! I'd love to use that on someone else" kind of way. Japanese researchers have actually created a very primitive prototype of a device that allows someone to essentially control the movement of another human being, via a control that looks shockingly like just a sophisticated RC car controller.

So how does it work? Apparently pushing one direction sends a quick jolt to the head that makes you think you're falling over on the other side, forcing you to move the other direction. Of course, the human in question has to be wearing special external devices around his or her head for the whole thing to work.The most useful form of this technology would be for medical reasons - for example, it could help to correct someone who has a balance disorder. Additionally, it could be used to create "more realistic virtual reality simulations." Hopefully we're far away from a world where anyone can just remotely control us without our consent (though that would make an excellent movie plot - and if you're reading this, Spielberg, I expect royalties if you take my idea).

Since the remote control is using a roundabout way of changing a person's direction, the movement is kind of awkward, and as you can tell from this YouTube video, it really looks like that girl is not moving on her own volition, because of the way she sways. It almost looks like she's being pulled by an invisible string.

More at Technology Review. Via TechEBlog

Report Published by: Mark Raby

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.