...and on that note, technology and people are getting even cozier these days. I used to think it was impressive how quickly cell phones got smaller and smarter and how quickly internet went wireless and made sharing easier. Now, inventions like this wrist control system and the idea of "smart buildings" seems to shadow earlier technology, and make us wonder if there is anything we won't try to give a technology interface-lift to.
Moving closer to the Matrix? A Spanish research center called Barcelona Digital is coordinating a three-year initiative called the BrainAble project to develop technologies that will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. By developing advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, ambient intelligence (AmI), and virtual reality (VR), researchers enable users to operate a robot, interact in virtual environments, communicate more easily, and remotely control lighting, heating and other devices in their homes. Plus, this technology could also benefit the eldery and people in rehabilitation, as well as allow the remote monitoring of people with neurological disorders.