Researchers Create Radio Controlled Humans

utherdoul writes "Say goodbye to remote-controlled cars, say hello to remote-controlled people. Forbes.com (disclosure: I work there) sent a lucky reporter (further disclosure: I am jealous it was not me) to the SIGGRAPH computer graphics conference in Los Angeles, where NTT researchers debuted a device designed to exploit the effects of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation. As the story explains, when a weak electrical pulse is delivered to the mastoid behind your ear, your body responds by shifting your balance towards it. If the current is strong enough, it not only throws you off balance, but alters the course of your movement. Reading about it really doesn't do it justice -- you have to check out the crazy video of a remotely controlled woman. (Realvideo)"

Great ..

[torpor]

.. I for one welcome our new remote-control weilding overlords, and remind them that, as a devoted member of their volleyball team, disco enclave, and cow wash, I'm perfectly qualified to serve drinks at their orgies, fresh coppertops and all ..

Remote-control women?

[SlashEdsDoYourJobs]

I, for one, hope women will welcome me as their new remote-control-weilding overlord.

The secret of the Nintendo Revolution...

[utexaspunk]

Yes, here's the secret new interface paradigm promised by the Nintendo Revolution. Beware, though!- firmware v2.0 turnes it into an enslavement device, and the rest of us will have to fight an army of 8-16 year olds! (plus a few older /.ers...)

So THIS is what contrails are about.

[Anonymous Coward]

This must be what all the contrails in the air are about: metal particles expelled in streams by government plains may look like cloudy water vapour, but are not. Once dispersed, the metal bits gently float to the ground level where they are inhaled by humans. These particles were specifically chosen for the way they crystallize inside the bloodstream and brain, giving them a particular shape that responds to specific radio frequencies, allowing the gov to control us.

I approve of the showcasing of this technology: it exposes the very frightening but very real effects of this technology, so no longer can people like me just be called "conspiracy-nutters."

Isn't this what they use to control Dick Cheney?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorry, I mean, isn't this what Dick Cheney uses to control George Bush?

I would buy that!

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

I just watched the video and it is way cool.

Unlike those dopey walking and dancying robots which I have no interest in, if Sony would just bring to market the "remote controlled goofy japanese cutey" I would buy one, heck I'd even go for two and get twin models -- they could remotely control each other when I get bored with doing it myself.

connect a random generator to the controller

[Anonymous Coward]

and you can walk like a drunk without having to drink :D
isn't sciense marvellous these days :)

Honey would you grab me a beer...?

[The Slaughter]

"Honey, get me a beer?" "I'm busy." "I said... a beer, woman!" *zap* "Thank you." It works in reverse too.. "Honey, can you finish building the deck?" "I'm busy" "I said.. finish building the deck!" *zap* Yknow it really brings new meaning to couples fighting over the remote control....

Careful what you wish for..

[Anonymous Coward]

My powers of prediction tell me that such a position would have an extraordinarily short life expectancy. Particularly, for a slashdot reading marshmellow, that bitches about the editors, while living in his parents basement like a trapdoor spider; pouncing on 2L bottles of Mountain Dew and bags of snackie-cakes that wander too close.

Your rights online

[Donny Smith]

Gee, this should be posted in Your Rights Online :-)

And send that woman right to my bed!

Re:Careful what you wish for..

[poopooboi]

like a trapdoor spider; pouncing on 2L bottles of Mountain Dew and bags of snackie-cakes that wander too close.

Sir, you owe me a coffee and a new keyboard.

robots

[racerxroot]

must... watch... video... can't ... control... own.. movements... ahhhhh!! So, we have androids that look and feel alot like humans (earlier /. article), and now we have people that act like robots. this is getting a little too weird for me.

parasite human

[red_forge]

err... my Japanese isn't too hot but I think the commentator in the clip refers to the device as the "parasite human".

Is it just me or is this really sinister?

They also relate it to robotics research... human robots..

Also it looks like it should be easy to build into standard audio headphones.... perhaps they already have!.... dun dun DUHHHH!

Better than Previous Efforts.

[fgl]

If we all recall the remote controlled cockroaches, I guess this is V1.1+

Re:Isn't this what they use to control Dick Cheney

[msim]

In all honesty i think that is the exception to the rule. In all other cases based in reality that i've seen (dude, manga doesn't count), it is the bush that controls the dick.

And your lying if you disagree with me.

Alternative video link

[AC-x]

http://www.traktor.com/musicvideos/low/Fatboy_Slim .mov [traktor.com]

But we see this at the airport all the time...

[ScentCone]

Just watch people as they come down the concourse and try to pass the Cinnabon store... you get exactly the same glazed-eye, vectored walking behavior, and no headset, other than the ubiquitous iPod. Of course, the Japanese approach is carb-free.

Re:If you wanted to fight it

[RevengeOfPoopJuggler]

It can't force you to walk anywhere

That's why they have a midget follow you around with a sharp pointy stick.

Re:Great ..

[gauchopuro]

As can be clearly seen in the video, the woman being controlled was not wearing a tin-foil hat. No one wearing such a hat has ever been controlled in this way.

Too lame.. THIS is a much better remote control!

[pair-a-noyd]

http://ticom.tyumen.ru/jokes/itsasony.jpg [tyumen.ru]

Prison Applications

[InstantCrisis]

If the units were smaller and automated, they could prevent prison escapes. Whenever a prisoner leaves a certain area, it would direct him back or force him to stop walking.

Then the ACLU complains.

Re:Interesting application

[RobM9999]

In Soviet Russia, The video games play you.

Drunk stablizer Helmet!

[rubberbando]

Thats what they need to make using this technology.

Put a gyroscope (or heck a simple level would probably work) inside a helmet as a balance sensor and have the electric nodes stimulate the opposite side that the drunk tilts toward.

That way, the drunk can keep his/her balance as they walk home. :P

Re:Great ..

[HUADPE]

Worst part of this whole thing is, the tin foil would probably work. Oh dear, here come the "paranormal experts." Run. Now.