Here we have an opportunity to draw straight from the source – the mind itself – it’s a small step along the exciting path of neurotechnology. This has huge relevance in the virtual reality context, a way of using the internet and interacting with people over long distances which is gaining increasing support as awareness of its potential and reality enhancing solutions grows, acceptance sets in, and businesses worldwide begin to actively adopt and embrace it.

Taking the 2D web into 3D has it’s problems, suddenly, to interact with this environment requires a whole new approach and traditional input devices are clumsy and inefficient. Being able to move, gesture and control what you see through thought is an incredibly natural and human step to take, allowing you to manipulate your virtual presence with greater comfort and ease whilst you multi-task – great for virtual conferencing of the future.

And ofcourse remember, the device doesn’t control your mind – your mind controls the device – this is the exciting thing! Where this goes, how it develops is an unknown, there are dangers, ethical and social questions that will crop up and indeed increasingly do as we dive deeper into our digital culture. We cannot escape change – but we should take care that it heads in the direction we want and need!

With scientists creating bionic eyes which replace the cognitive functionality of portions of the brain damaged by disease or tragic accident, we will start seeing a wider range of brain and mind related technologies cropping up – the possibility of brain enhancements, implants, rewiring may seem far fetched and extreme today – but is entirely plausible, less a question of “if”, and more one of “when” and “why” – the stepping stones are being laid for the reality of our science fiction dreams and nightmares.