[bgalbraith]

The current state of the art for BCI ranges from 2-3 continuously valued "channels" using motor imagery (the method used in the article) or 1 channel of 2-32+ discrete choices using a sensory stimulus-based method such as event-related potentials (P300) or steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP).

It is highly unlikely that an EEG BCI will ever replace any normal task, as the performance relative to any reliable motor movement for direct control is terrible. For instance, if you have an eye tracker, you can reliably out perform the best BCI. It is really aimed at severely paralyzed people who don't have any other means of communication. The idea is undoubtedly cool and compelling, but the practicality of BCI for healthy subject use is very limited.