Tech Development: Mind Control on Motor Skills

I'm not quite sure if we should all be thrilled about this bit of news.

(snippet taken from CNN International site)

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp., Japans top telephone company, says it is developing the technology to perhaps make video games more realistic.

A special headset was placed on my cranium by my hosts during a recent demonstration at an NTT research center. It sent a very low voltage electric current from the back of my ears through my head -- either from left to right or right to left, depending on which way the joystick on a remote-control was moved.

I found the experience unnerving and exhausting: I sought to step straight ahead but kept careening from side to side. Those alternating currents literally threw me off.

The technology is called galvanic vestibular stimulation -- essentially, electricity messes with the delicate nerves inside the ear that help maintain balance.

Its not exactly mind control... at least not in the sci-fi way. But this thing would prompt you to go left, right, and straightaway. Makers say that this was created to enhance the virtual experience in video games. Sounds innocent?

I suppose in a weird sense, if this technology goes much further, this could be a precursor for the Star Trek Holodeck. Unfortunately, it could also be just as easy as to end up much like Harry Potter's more famous unforgivable Imperius Curse. (see wikipedia) As technology advances, things are getting smaller and smaller. What's preventing people for turning this gigantic headset into a bug you can flick at virtually anyone and set it to remote control at a distance while your drone does your bidding for you?

I still can't decide if its a good or a bad thing. There's likely going to be some sort of governing body to handle this in the future.

But, while the technology seems relatively young, what's there to say that you'll end up with a messed up nervous system with those electrical currents shooting up your brain?