German scientists: Brain-controlled flying can work with accuracy

Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Technical University of Berlin showed on Monday that brain-controlled flying can work with surprising accuracy. Tests conducted at the flight simulator of the Institute of Flight System Dynamics at TUM showed pilots can make landing maneuver by giving signal via numerous cables that are attached to the caps they wear, instead of using pedals or lever. Under the European Union-funded project "Brain Flight," scientists led by Professor Florian Holzapfel explored on how the brain-controlled flying can work. To make human and machine to communicate, the brainwaves of the pilots are measured using electroencephalography electrodes, which are connected with a hood. An algorithm, developed at the Technical University of Berlin, allows the program to decode the electrical potentials and convert it into a control command. In brain-computer interfaces, only clearly defined electrical pulses of the brain, which are necessary for steering, can be identified. "A long-term vision of the project is to provide more people access to fly," said Tim Fricke, the manager of this project at TUM. "Through the brain control, fly could get easier. This would reduce the work load of the pilot, thereby increase the security." Now, scientists at TUM are dealing with the question of how the requirements of the control system and the flight dynamics should be changed to meet the needs of new control method.