Star Wars Force Trainer teaches children to kill... with their minds

Toy maker Uncle Milton has introduced Force Trainer, a game that utilizes NeuroSky's brainwave-controlled gaming technology. In a manner similar to the Mind Flex we got our heads on at CES, the young Jedi dons a wireless headset that communicates with a simplified EEG. If you focus well enough, the "training sphere" rises in a 10-inch tube. Seems pretty harmless, no? At least until your humble child starts lifting rocks and choking people by simply furrowing their brow and gesturing menacingly. If you find this an acceptable risk (or you feel the need to work on your own mental prowess) the thing should be available this fall for just under $100.

[Sisyphus @ Jan 13th 2009 10:33AM]

Engadget:

Pedojarjar Approved.

[JAmerican @ Jan 13th 2009 10:35AM]

I didn't realize JAR JAR's tongue was sticking out until you said that.

BTW that thing looks like a toy hookah. Tube sold separately.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 13th 2009 12:25PM]

CRAPGADGET

That kid looks EMO

[Flashpoint @ Jan 13th 2009 12:25PM]

CRAPGADGET

That kid looks EMO

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 13th 2009 12:36PM]

@Moderator

What exactly you want to stick up your butt? The tube with a ball or JAR JAR's tongue? Don't want to be disrespectful, but I'm really confused and can't help imagining the latter.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 13th 2009 1:20PM]

Hey, if this keeps the little rug rats still for a half hour instead of running around swinging the plastic light saber braking stuff, then I'm all for it.

[Xenoterranos @ Jan 13th 2009 10:33AM]

Damn kids have it TOO GOOD nowadays. Back in my day, we'd have to beat our smaller, less fortunate siblings into submission and force them into various kinds of slavery in order to get stuff done, but today's kids get The Force in a box. Frig.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 13th 2009 12:19PM]

What I want to know is how Engadget knows Vader was furrowing his brow to choke people.

[John @ Jan 13th 2009 3:07PM]

Your writing style works well with your icon. Also, smartpeopleplaytuba: in Episode III Vader furrows his brow whilst strangling Padmé. Before he has a helmet.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 15th 2009 2:48PM]

@ John

That wasn't Vader. That was some punk kid pretending he was Vader. Vader had a mask . . . and he didn't say things like "I truly... deeply... love you."

[nightstar @ Jan 13th 2009 10:34AM]

Actually look like part of the plastic learner from Forbidden Planet. So where is the 3d imagizer?

[Mark @ Jan 13th 2009 10:38AM]

Exactly! but with the Battlestar Galactica insignia on it? Too many references...

[Ryan @ Jan 13th 2009 10:54AM]

Uh, Mark, that's a Jedi (Clone Wars era) logo, not a BSG one. Hand over your geek card, I'm cutting a corner off.

[GarthBock @ Jan 13th 2009 11:51AM]

LOL...I was just remembering Forbidden Planet when I saw the article. What will happen when the child sleeps after using this for a while. Invisible monsters being unleased ???? Oh the horror......

[Ransom @ Jan 13th 2009 10:36AM]

It looks like one of those lung capacity testers.

[ProfessorKaos @ Jan 13th 2009 11:14AM]

Well, can't drink and Jedi ya kno

[Blacksheep @ Jan 13th 2009 10:41AM]

I'm still sort of amazed by the concept of this thing. Of course it's not really like using the force, it's more like becoming the Lawnmower man.

[showman @ Jan 13th 2009 3:47PM]

...or the Karate Kid.

[Darth Vader @ Jan 13th 2009 10:50AM]

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Jan 13th 2009 10:51AM]

WARNING: will not function if you have insufficient midichlorian levels.

[dodo @ Jan 13th 2009 10:54AM]

or as long as mummy and daddy provides batteries or this game appears on the nintendo wii...

[Mile @ Jan 13th 2009 10:51AM]

Wouldn't it be easier to just reach over and lift it up by hand?

I know, I know: Technology for technologies sake.

[Precurse @ Jan 13th 2009 10:57AM]

Not with childhood obesity nowadays

[Mark @ Jan 13th 2009 1:15PM]

This is cool and all but I'm still waiting for an official "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" chemistry set.

[MrX @ Jan 13th 2009 11:01AM]

Hey whats the young Harry Potter doing with this? he's a wizard. I call shenanigans

[Oscarv77 @ Jan 13th 2009 3:56PM]

I swear, I'm gonna pistol whip the next person that says shenanigans...

[Riley @ Jan 14th 2009 2:34AM]

hey farva, what's that restaurant you like to eat at with all the crap all over the walls?

[Electromodo @ Jan 13th 2009 11:12AM]

I am so buying this when it's available! Or better yet, the Mind Flex, which is cheaper ($80).

I have already missed the proper lightsaber training in my childhood, so I will try to catch up with Force training now, plus it is very affordable.

BTW, the kid on the picture looks much more like young Anakin than the actor playing Anakin in Star Wars I.

[absinthe party @ Jan 13th 2009 11:16AM]

I'm trying to figure out how to sneak this into a purchase order at work for uhm.. research and whatnot.

[Keith @ Jan 13th 2009 11:21AM]

Oh I can't wait till people start to hack into that thing... Forget about Wiimote hacks... we need some mind control!

[absinthe party @ Jan 13th 2009 11:24AM]

How about mind control Wii remote hacks? Then you can pretty much just sit on your couch and cut out all that physical exertion nonsense.

[Keith @ Jan 13th 2009 11:29AM]

You're on to something there. Mind control remote controls... I dig it.

Girlfriend: "Honey, the TV seems to switch channels all by itself."

Me: "Really? That's odd."

Girlfriend: "Yeah, and it always ends up on the Playboy ch... and none of my interior design shows will come on."

Me: "Hmmm, well, I guess we'll just have to put up with it."

[Mile @ Jan 13th 2009 12:28PM]

Girlfriend. lol

[Chris Dunning @ Jan 13th 2009 11:21AM]

So... the tech is cool and all, but once you've raised and lowered the ball a couple dozen times, what else do you get for your "just under $100" investment. It's sort of a one trick pony.

[absinthe party @ Jan 13th 2009 11:26AM]

1. Replace ball with kitten.
2. ???
3. !!!
4. Do not profit.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jan 13th 2009 12:35PM]

One trick pony? Sure.

But that one trick is one that everyone you know (except maybe your parents) will want to try out.

I know it would get boring once you mastered it. But I still want one.

[Richard @ Jan 13th 2009 11:22AM]

Move along, move along, these aren't the toys you're looking for.

[NHAnimator @ Jan 13th 2009 12:57PM]

These aren't the toys I'm looking for.

[AntMan @ Jan 13th 2009 11:39AM]

Looks like a Star Wars bong.

One you might see at Mos Eisley Cantina.

[alex @ Jan 13th 2009 11:48AM]

The Force is strong with this one.

[npChaos @ Jan 13th 2009 11:48AM]

I sense a disturbance in the Force...

[Midnightq @ Jan 13th 2009 11:56AM]

How long until we can utilize this technology for a real life Angelic Layer?

[Rainier @ Jan 13th 2009 11:58AM]

Don't be too proud of this technological waste you've constructed...

[thx1138jtx2 @ Jan 13th 2009 12:02PM]

To puff. Nice Mall Rat ref.

[Blank @ Jan 13th 2009 12:18PM]

Soooooo this is a variable speed fan controled by a cheapjack version of that brain controller?... for $100....... id rather pay for the "OCZ NIA Neural Impulse Actuator".... at £100. (Granted, GBP vs Dollars, but still id rather pay the extra $50 & get the real deal)

[Carrie @ Jan 13th 2009 12:41PM]

That's probably the most horrifying picture I've ever seen on this website.

[BratPAQ @ Jan 13th 2009 1:07PM]

...or i can ask my friend to hide under the table and blow the pipe so the ball will rise, cheaper

[npChaos @ Jan 13th 2009 1:21PM]

Blow the pipe? Raise the ball?

Is that what you youngsters are calling it now days?

[sendeth @ Jan 13th 2009 9:00PM]

omg!!! jar jar is attacking that kid!!! and it's all the fault of violent video games!!

[diefldrmas @ Jan 13th 2009 1:47PM]

I find the lack of playability, disturbing.