BEIJING (TIP): An indigenously-developed mind-controlled car that would do away the use of steering wheel or accelerator was unveiled for the first time in China.

Developed by a research team from Nankai University in Tianjin in collaboration with Chinese car maker Great Wall Motor, the new vehicle was presented to the world for the first time this week.

The car is controlled via a headset with 16 sensors that sends impulses from the user’s brain to the car’s processing system.

Spectators watched as the vehicle moved forward and backward; and was locked and unlocked — all through the power of the mind, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The sensors capture brain signals and the recognition system analyses them, translates them into driving instructions and sends them to the car.

The team which designed the vehicle claim this is the first time Chinese researchers have controlled a car in this way.

Duan Feng, associate professor at the university’s computing and control engineering department, said that there was still some way to go before the technology can be put into production.

“The technology is quite mature, however, there is some room for improvement concerning the car’s electronics, which will make the vehicle more secure, intelligent, and user-friendly,” he said.

The technology could transform driving and help disabled people drive, he said.