Disclosed is a method for controlling a device. The method includes receiving, at a processing system (200), a first signal associated with a thought pattern of a user (220), the first signal is received from a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel having sensed any one or a combination of a visual cortex, a parietal cortex, or the area in between the visual cortex and the parietal cortex. The processing system (200) then receives a second signal that is associated with a mental or emotional state of the user (220). The processing system (200) determines a thought pattern classification for the first signal by analysing and classifying the first signal and then generates one or more control signals based on at least one of the determined thought pattern classification of the first signal and the second signal. The one or more control signals control the operation of the device and activating a safety feature of the device based on the mental or emotional state.
