Will Robots take over?

Got this bit of news in email. It's a little scarry....

BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACES

Brain-machine interfaces could someday be used routinely to help
paralyzed patients and amputees control prosthetic limbs with just
their thoughts. Now, University of Florida researchers have devised
a way for computerized devices not only to translate brain signals
into movement, but also to evolve with the brain as it learns.

"The status quo of brain-machine interfaces that are out there have
static and fixed decoding algorithms, which assume a person thinks
one way for all time," said Justin C. Sanchez, a UF assistant
professor of pediatric neurology. Sanchez and his colleagues
developed a system based on setting goals and giving rewards.
Fitted with electrodes in their brains to capture signals for the
computer to unravel, three rats were taught to move a robotic arm
toward a target with just their thoughts. "We think this dialogue
with a goal is how we can make these systems evolve over time,"
Sanchez said.

Read more here: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20080626A2
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