Emotiv's Epoc mind-controlled device delayed till next year

Not so long ago, in the cold, frosty month of February, we heard about mysterious headgear (an update of Project Epoc) that, if worn, could be used to do stuff like play insanely simple video games (emphasis on insanely). We also heard that this USB unicorn of the gaming universe would be ready by "Christmas" -- whatever that is. Well, according to Big Download, who spoke with a PR rep from Emotiv, the device has been delayed until "sometime" in 2009. The reason for the delay? The company wants to "make sure" the device works "as planned." Glad to hear it -- since we weren't interested in it as a fashion statement alone.

[BlurMagic @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:41AM]

Does it come in not hideously ugly?

[PDubNYC @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:44PM]

Damn mom, I got my headgear on!

[OneLove @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:06PM]

you can only blame yourself for any lag.

[OneLove @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:04PM]

i control your Internets

[Abdo @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:42AM]

Just as planned.

[Johan S @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:43AM]

If this thing actually woprks as planned, it would truly be revolutionary, "mind blowing". It will speed up the day when a computer UI can be controlled via thought only. As our minds get practice controlling a UI via thought .. maybe someday it will be possible to type out text messages etc. too.

[Speney G @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:44AM]

It emits a small shock of electricity every time an obscenity is uttered.

[Caleb @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:34AM]

Or when you think about commiting a crime or have impure thoughts.

[who? @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:44AM]

Insanely simple games? I wonder what happens if you try playing Guitar Hero on extreme... Let the nosebleeds begin!!!

[Alpinerover @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:52AM]

I think Emotiv's execs saw some world domination potential and are retooling this to be Emotiv's Epoc mind -controlling- device.

[no_one @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:52AM]

"Christmas" nope, its the winter solstice. Google "truth about religion" see the video.

[LameDuck @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:18PM]

Last I checked, this was not a religous forum. And for you to post a video attacking religion is really, really toolish. All you are doing is fostering hate for other people with diffrent beliefes and blindly fallowing something that can't prove where religion came.

Just FYI, Mr. Truth, if religion wasn't the big "evil" to you enlightened types, it would be something else. There will always be something that people will gather around and fight for. Doesn't matter if it's a lie, truth, real, or fake. Pull you're ego out of your ass and have some respect for your fellow man.

[Ryan @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:55AM]

I'm not impressed....didn't the MindDrive do the same thing about 10-15 years ago?

[waiownsyou @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:58AM]

Sweet, another excuse to not use motor functions!

[Caleb @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:40AM]

I'd for one have limited mobility and would love this. That said it would not be good for someone not disabled but lazy to use this on an ongoing basis less they turn into a couch dwelling Jaba the Hut. Probably not a good idea for me, it's better to work through the pain and keep as much motor function as possable.

I wonder if they have tried combineing this with a VR helmit and used it for remote control of robots etc.

[Veraxus @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:15PM]

OCZ's NIA is already available and works smashingly... after about a month of non-stop practice, that is. Still, once you've got it down it's almost like having a third hand while playing your games.

[Dan @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:19PM]

Is that your opinion after months of use, or is that a review / speculation? I heard that it was not very reliable, though it's possible the reviewer was not very good at using it.

Not that this headgear sounds any more promising, I guess.

[Veraxus @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:19PM]

It's my opinion after months of use (I've had mine for well over 6 months). The easiest way to learn is to just put the damn thing on whenever you play games. It literally takes about a month before you get any measure of control other facial muscles. I had the ability to change my Alpha 1 and 2 and Beta 1 after about six weeks... which, all in all, is four mappable functions that you don't need hands for. It's actually really useful once you finally get to that point and can reliably trigger multiple brain fingers at will. It's definitely not something you just put on and use. It takes patience and constant use.

The one caveat is that, because the headband is so sensitive, you have to be actively grounded to the box in order for your brain signal baselines to be readable by the software (if not, it flies way off the chart). You can do this by touching the control box with your skin (put it under a foot, under a wrist, set it on your arm-rest) OR by wearing one of those anti-static bands on your wrist, with the metal clip attached to the box.

[Veraxus @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:25PM]

I should add that it's not "thoughts" that control the device so much as "feelings" and "emotional states"... if that makes any sense. Just keep your expectations in check because it's not a matter of thinking "levitate" and something levitates. It's more like trying to use a third hand you can't feel and never knew existed. You don't "think" to move your hands... they just do it... you "feel" it out. Like I said... it takes practice and patience.

[Richard @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:45PM]

I'm dying to try that thing out. Just might have to buy one after Christmas has passed and my checkbook has a chance to recover! I'm intrigued by the Novint Falcon as well, but game support for that thing sucks.

[Dan @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:12AM]

That's probably the best description I've ever heard of this technology. Thanks.

[required @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:29PM]

Neat, now we can really think something stinks.

[Shela Monster @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:29PM]

Keeps your hands free for other activities!

"I'm thinking porn!"
(At which it will find you favorite based off prefered thought.)
(Or shock the sh!t out of you if the parental controls are on.)

[Kamal @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:30PM]

I heard that they have a minor bug that needs to be solved. How to prevent users' brains from turning into jello after extended periods of use. :)

[Hackettman @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:50PM]

"Ever saw that scene from scanners"-- Wayne's World

Thats the future with this thing.... Head explosions via thought......

I think itll take a gamer generation or so but it has alot of promise......

[Mike Uram @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:08PM]

I have worked with similar equipment for a few years and I am guessing that they are running into the same problem as everyone else. There is too much interference to get a clear signal when the head is moving, even with the best equipment, which can run from $5,000 - $10,000 per machine, not to mention that you need to be a semi-skilled technician to know where to place the electrodes. I wish them luck, and can't wait to get my hands on the device. The technology is very promising. I am hoping that it comes out before Duke Nukem Forever :)

[[e-mail] @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:17PM]

Reminds me of one of my favorite songs - "You Can Keep Your Hat On"

[Jehzeel Laurente @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:05PM]

ohhh.. whoaww.. a dream gadget.. to become a reality soon! :)

[Period.Man @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:36PM]

As if my playing loads of video games didn't hurt my chances at getting a hot date already, now I'm going to have to wear one of these?

[Emceay @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:11PM]

This... will get lost in my afro.

[John @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:13PM]

Like it or not this is the device of the future, another commercial device like this has been on the market and does work as intended. Once they increase brainwave detection and decrease the strenuous training required thier popularity will skyrocket. People used to find bluetooth headsets odd, many still do, given time brain wave reading devices will be accepted, a bonus is that you don't have use it in public.

[Darrell @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:32PM]

Looking forward to playing Duke Nukem Forever on my Phantom with this controller.

[MarbleMind @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:00PM]

*reads title*

"Emotiv's Epoc mind-control device..."

Wha...!?

*reads title again*

"Emotiv's Epoc mind-controlled device..."


....


Dang.

[John @ Dec 7th 2008 2:36PM]

Looks kind of creepy... :S

[Jeff @ Dec 31st 2008 11:24PM]

This device should have no skin surface contact problems of any kind. The rumored problem of wireless troubles is baseless. There have been brainwave interfaces around for 50 years and they worked very well. If I remember correctly, there was and still is a product called IBVA (interactive visual brainwave analyzer) that has been around for a decade or more with software applications galore. The only problem with the IBVA system was it was an is geared for Mac, no Ms interface. However, the U.S. Government intellignce community stepped in about 8 years ago, and units and information all but dissapeared. The only product now remaining is based out of the U.K. Have fun.