New Technology Allows the Paralyzed to Paint with Their Minds

Can respond to brain activity

A computer programme enabling paralysed patients to create artwork using just the power of their brains drew big crowds on Wednesday at the CeBIT, the world's top IT fair.

Under a system pioneered by Austrian firm g-tec, the user wears a cap that measures brain activity.

By focusing hard on a flashing icon on a screen, the cap can recognise the specific brain activity connected to that item, allowing the user to "choose" what he or she wants the computer to do.