Although experiments with brain-computer interfaces has been going on for several years already, the majority of the task has involved one dimensional or two dimensional movement (we recently discussed the mind controlled slot car racing). Three-dimensional control has been achieved using invasive brain electrodes, but non-invasively has been very difficult to achieve.
Here researchers have reached it by using EEG signals from a 64-channel EEG caps to record and decode sensorimotor rhythm resulting from motor imagination. The first subjects go through training which make use of the left/right arm, legs, tongue, and the rest of the imagination to move the cursor to the first in the 1 D and n in 2D, 3D task before moving on to the helicopter. They even managed to tell the difference between the gross movement and fine scales that constantly, which allows for quick and precise control of the movement of the helicopter.
As a final assignment, subject to controlled helicopters with the aim of flying randomly through the position of the ring. Impressive, they managed to acquire more than 85% of the target is presented. Although the author foresees the application of neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation medicine, we imagine controlling real-life model helicopter or drone instead. The results are published online in PLoS one.