Nissan Prepares Cars to Read Your Brain Waves

In recent years, CES has hosted a number of autonomous vehicle concepts and technologies, and this year should be no different. But Nissan is taking things one step further with technology that can interpret signals from a driver’s brain to predict what he or she will do next and assist the driving experience as needed.

Dubbed “Brain-to-Vehicle” technology, the system is the first of its kind, according to Nissan. Once a driver puts on a device that measures brain wave activity, the system can detect when the driver is about to initiate a movement. By determining that the driver is getting ready to turn the steering wheel or come to a stop, for instance, the system prepares to help the driver in this action. Nissan says this technology improves driver reaction times, although drivers will likely not notice it working.

“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 in a statement.

This type of technology can also detect when a driver is uncomfortable and help create a more relaxing environment. To comfort the driver, the system can switch the car’s driving style when it’s in autonomous mode, or create an augmented reality inside the cabin. In the video below, Nissan senior innovation researcher Lucian Gheorghe says the automaker is preparing for a future where brain measuring devices could be part of our daily lives.

CES will take place in Las Vegas from January 9-12. In the meantime, watch the video below to learn more about Nissan’s Brain-to-Vehicle technology.

Source: Nissan