British scientists have created a virtual computer world designed to test telepathic ability.

The system, designed by scientists at the University of Manchester, immerses an individual in what looks like a life-size computer game.

Approximately 100 participants will take part in the experiment which aims to test whether telepathy exists between individuals using the system. It will also look at how telepathic abilities may vary depending on the relationships which exist between participants, according to a press release from the university on Tuesday.

The scientists are to carry out the tests using two volunteers at a time who could be friends, work colleagues or family. They are placed in separate rooms on different floors of the same building to eliminate any possibility of communication.

Participants enter the virtual environment by donning a head-mounted 3D display and an electronic glove which they use to navigate their way through the computer-generated world.

Once inside, participants view a random selection of computer-generated objects including a telephone, a football and an umbrella.

The person in the first room sees one object at a time, which they are asked to concentrate on and interact with. The person in the other room is simultaneously presented with the same object plus three decoy objects. They are then asked to select the object they believe the other participant is trying to transmit to them.

"By creating a virtual environment we are creating a completely objective environment which makes it impossible for participants to leave signals or even unconscious clues as to which object they have chosen," Toby Howard, who is implementing the test, was quoted as saying.

The system has been designed to make the task as realistic as possible, the scientists said, adding that in addition to selecting objects and hearing the sounds they make, participants are able to hold and move them within the virtual environment.

Source: Xinhua