A disabled man has helped pioneer a mind-reading computer system for people with severe physical disabilities.

Cathal O'Philbin, 40, of Whittle Close, Walthamstow, helped scientists carry out trials of revolutionary thought-recognition computer software at his home.

He suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and cannot use his hands to manipulate a computer. He used to get his carer to dictate letters but now uses voice-recognition technology.

However, Mr O'Philbin, originally from Dublin, says the current equipment lacks privacy and often does not recognise certain words.

Wearing a plastic cap covered with electrodes and, using conscious control of his thoughts, he was able to translate words from his mind directly on to the screen in the trial.

The portable brain-computer interface developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission could liberate the lives of many seriously disabled people, he said.

Developed by scientists from Italy, Spain and Finland, the software monitors continuous variations in rhythms over several cortical areas of the brain.

The technology recognises what mental task the wearer is concentrating on and during the home tests Mr O'Philbin got his priorities right as he spelled out his favourite three words Arsenal Football Club.

"It was physically as exhausting as lifting my hand. It was tiring," said Mr O'Philbin of the trial.

"It can read your mind in a roundabout way. During the one-day trial it worked well but the short time we had was against us.

"It normally takes two or three weeks to train the computer to your brainwaves.

"This technology allows me to exercise my choice and have control over my life. This sort of technology gives me independence and confidentiality when writing and accessing the computer."

He had to think of a rotating cube to operate the right side of the screen, had to relax to work the centre of the screen and to operate the left of the screen he had to think of a task he could not do.

After less than three hours he mastered two tasks and could control the virtual keyboard with some success.

The system was designed to be used by people with dis- abilities accessing the internet and its developers claim it rarely makes wrong classifications it is claimed to make mistakes just five per cent of the time.

It does not immediately translate a user's thought of a letter on to the screen but selects them from a continually narrowing list of options.

Mr O'Philbin will be presenting a paper on Monday to the University of Technology in Helsinki, Finland, where a lot of the work on the project was carried out.

He says the equipment could help the disabled in employment and education. He was contacted about helping out in the project through his links with Disability Movement a group that fights for equal rights.

It is believed the technology could be used in the future to operate wheelchairs, change TV stations and for many other commercial uses.

December 6, 2001 17:32