Mind reading computer that translates thought signals is unveiled by scientists

Breakthrough: The computer could give a voice to paralysed people Stephen Hawking

A computer that can read human minds has been unveiled by scientists.

It translates thought signals into speech through sensors placed on the brain.

Researchers say that in more than eight out of ten cases they were able to work out which word was being thought of without the subject saying it out loud.

They believe the breakthrough could give a voice to paralysed patients who have lost the power of speech.

'We were beside ourselves with excitement when it started working,' said Bradley Greger, a bioengineer who led the research at Utah University.

'It was just one of those moments when everything came together. I would call it brain reading.

'We hope that in two or three years it will be available for use by paralysed patients.'

Currently those with 'locked-in' syndrome - following a stroke, disease or injury - communicate by blinking an eye or twitching a finger to choose letters or words from a list.