Thinking of words can guide your wheelchair

New Scientist Tech Thinking of words can guide your wheelchair: "A motorised wheelchair that moves when the operator thinks of particular words has been demonstrated by a US company (see video, right). The wheelchair works by intercepting signals sent from their brain to their voice box, even when no sound is actually produced."

AI: It's OK Again!

Dr. Dobb's AI: It's OK Again!: "Over the last half century, AI has had its ups and down. But for now, it's on the rise again."

"Right now, the balance in AI work seems to be tipped toward applied over theoretical, and toward the connectionist over the symbolist. But if history is a guide, things could shift back."

The trouble with computers

Economist.comThe trouble with computers: "Many futurists and computer experts believe that the logical conclusion of all of these new input devices, sensors and smarter software to anticipate users' needs, will be for computing to blend into the background. In this “ubiquitous computing” model, computers will no longer be things people use explicitly, any more than they “use” electricity when turning on a light or a radio. Mr Greenfield says a digital “dream world” that provides “one seamless experience of being immersed in information” hinges on one big if: computers and their interfaces must become so good that, like electricity, they rarely require concentrated attention. The trouble with computers in their current form is that they are still all too conspicuous."

An interesting article on the importance of HCI -- processing power alone won't take us far, without good user interfaces.