Technology identifies distinct brainwaves produced for different words

Scientists said they can decipher words with up to 90 per cent accuracy

It could allow people to communicate in the future without having to talk 

Device may even allow people to issue instructions to robots by thought 

A 'mind-reading' device that can decipher words from brainwaves without them being spoken has been developed by Japanese scientists, raising the prospect of 'telepathic' communication.

Researchers have found the electrical activity in the brain is the same when words are spoken and when they are left unsaid.

By looking for the distinct wave forms produced before speaking, the team was able to identify words such as 'goo', 'scissors' and 'par' when spoken in Japanese.