Mind-reading technology in and of itself is no longer a huge leap. It's been around for years for research in designing robots, prosthetic limbs, and for paralyzed people to control various devices.

But there's a new research project underway from British and American scientists that may be commercially available in things like cars in less than half a decade. The technology is rooted in facial expression recognition. The scientists are working on an "emotionally aware" computer than can determine what mood you're in just by what your face looks like. Luckily I don't have to worry about this when I get on the computer first thing in the morning (yet). Via a special webcam, it would then open the floodgates for Web advertising that can be broadcast only to people who are in a certain mood.

This could also be used for long-distance online communication (college classes, business meetings, etc). Also discussed is the possibility of using the same technology in an in-dash monitor for cars as early as 5 years down the road. A prototype of this technology will be shown on July 3 at a London scientific exhibition.

Full story

Report Published by: Mark Raby