Our society is making constant advancements in the technology race. Technologies that were just ideas a short while ago are a reality today. But tomorrow, the race is progressing to the next level. Devices controlled by manual means such as remotes, joysticks, and tablets are morphing into devices that can be used hands free in the form of drones that are capable of reading our minds. New technologies are actually using algorithms that interpret brain waves into real life commands being carried out by drones.

Muscle movements are functions that are triggered by our brains and involve a complex series of biochemical process that generate electrical activity. A capacity to read and interpret these electrical signals coupled with the additional recognition of slight facial and muscular movements is at the core of making ‘mind reading’ drones possible. Brain Computer Interface, as the process is commonly referred to, has been an area of increasing study in the recent past. By using noninvasive technology such as Electroencephalography [EEG] to measure variations in the voltages of the electrical signals, an algorithm is able to decode linkages between your thought patterns and an intended action to control a particular motion of the drone. This is then relayed to the drone’s robotic system.

The patterns generated then form the basis from which future control of the drone is based upon. If a particular electrical signal is recorded to make the drone move left, then the interpretation of that signal when flying the drone will be decoded and interpreted as such to deliver this very specific action. There is definitely a degree of complexity in developing this, but in a nutshell, this is the basic overarching concept of the model. A novel product by EEG Smart Company, the UDrone is guaranteed to provide you with a hands free experience that is totally out of this world.

The drone comes with extra propellers, a propeller tool, safety guards, and two batteries, as well as a charging kit. Most importantly, it also has a brain computer interface device with sensors that are fitted behind the ear. By picking up electromyographic activity from your facial muscles, this device will be able to detect and decode these changes into actual flight control commands. You only need to think about its flight to achieve liftoff, but part of the fun, of course, is the practice to get the various gestures required to support accurate control of all the necessary aspects of the drone.

Another unique aspect of this drone is it’s size. It is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and only weighs 85 grams. Because of it’s compact size, the drone can easily be flown indoors, a crucial factor in learning to control it safely. Unlike larger drones that often get trapped on roofs or in trees when the operator first tests them out, this drone can easily be retrieved. Additional features also include but are not limited to its capacity to take pictures by receiving a signal as simple as blinking your eyes.

With this technology a single operator can control more than one drone, even a fleet of drones, simply using brain signals. There are so many applications for this type of a drone. These may include using drones in search and rescue missions by allowing coverage of vast areas in shorter times, SMART agriculture where they can be used to spray crops as well as monitor and analyze crop production in large fields, as well as monitoring and supporting disaster and response actions such as fire fighting.

Right now this technology is still in it’s testing phase. It is absolutely amazing what scientific innovators continue to turn out these days. This kind of brain computer interface is bound to revolutionize how we interact with our environment. In fact, given continued efforts to make drones pocket friendly and available to the public, it is only a matter of time before any drone owner will be able to control their drone with just the power of their own mind.

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