NEW YORK – Aimed squarely at Gen-Y'ers, Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453) (NYSE: TMS) today unveiled a brand new interface technology that breaks away from standard physical remote control interfaces, whether touchscreen or traditional button. Heralded as “the next step beyond voice recognition”, the new thought-based process will offer consumers intuitive and absolutely silent operation over an extensive range of home theater components from the comfort of their sofa.

Over a decade in development, the patent-pending MyBrainWave™ system consists of a tiny transceiver that attaches to the back of a user’s head via a special reusable conductive adhesive co-developed with 3M (NYSE: MMM). After a 5-minute training period where the system adjusts to a user’s particular brain patterns by reading the responses to baseline questions, the transceiver will be able to accurately read neural impulses and translate them into useful home theater instructions. These commands are transmitted wirelessly via a WiFi network to receivers built-in to each BrainWave™ activated component, up to 33 feet away.

The ultimate convenience
“It’s all about convenience,” said Ivan Gagly, vice president of North American operations. “With our exclusive MyBrainWave™ control, never again will users need to hunt for remotes misplaced under sofa cushions, or go to the trouble of finding and pushing the right button. With MyBrainWave™, users can sit motionless and need only think about what needs to be done – and the operation will be completed, instantly.”

At the outset, MyBrainWave™ will be capable of decoding 32 distinct commands, including power, channel, volume control and system macros. Said Gagly, “MyBrainWave™ already marks a huge step forward in the understanding of how the human mind works, and Thomson is pleased to be the first company to bring this advancement to market. Now that we’re able to decode the minute electrical impulses that make up thoughts, we envision further developing the technology to the point where it can be used as a replacement for traditional game console gamepads, or in the field of remote medicine for precise control during robotic surgery.”

Thomson will first incorporate MyBrainWave™ technology into three 2005 model year RCA Scenium plasma televisions, followed by DVD players and personal video recorders. Other electronics companies, including Sony Corp. (Tokyo: 6758) (NYSE: SNE) and Toshiba (OTC: TOSBF.PK), are currently in talks to license the technology, and the U.S. Military (NYSE: GUNS) has also expressed interest in MyBrainWave™ for special interrogation purposes.