Nissan has unveiled its new Brain-to-Vehicle (B2V) technology at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This new mind control tech is the latest development of the brand’s Intelligent Mobility.
This unusual addition to semi-autonomous driving allow drivers wearing a B2V headset to steer the car, accelerate, and stop with just the use of their brain waves.
The headset measures brain wave activity, which is then analyzed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.
“When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines. Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci.
This breakthrough from Nissan is the result of research into using brain decoding technology to predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort.
By catching signs that the driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement – such as turning the steering wheel or pushing the accelerator pedal – driver assist technologies can begin the action more quickly. This can improve reaction times and enhance manual driving.
By detecting and evaluating driver discomfort, artificial intelligence can change the driving configuration or driving style when in autonomous mode.
“The potential applications of the technology are incredible,” said Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, senior innovation researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan. “This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.”