Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[IBM says mind control next big thing in human-computer interaction; GLaDOS offers cake reward]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/ibm-says-mind-control-next-big-thing-in-human-computer-interacti/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/ibm-says-mind-control-next-big-thing-in-human-computer-interacti/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/ibm-says-mind-control-next-big-thing-in-human-computer-interacti/#commentsFrom the ongoing Google-Apple turf war on voice recognition to Microsoft's gesture tracking with Kinect, humans continue to push the envelope on how to interact with computers and devices. Now IBM says mind control will be the next field to see a big leap, predicting breakthroughs within the next five years. Keep in mind that they're not talking about controlling humans a la Gorilla Grodd ... yet. Instead, they're talking about controlling computer actions and devices via brain waves. IBM software guru and potential Borg recruit Kevin Brown (pictured right) has already been using a headset to move cubes on a computer screen at will. Given the ongoing progress with mind-controlled cars and BrainGate, IBM's prediction might not be too far-fetched.

IBM says mind control next big thing in human-computer interaction; GLaDOS offers cake reward originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainbrain controlbrain controlled movementBrainControlBrainControlledMovementmindmind controlMindControlneuralresearchsensorsensorstelekinesisthoughtthought controlThoughtControlTue, 20 Dec 2011 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[AMO Arm pneumatic prosthetic does mind-control on the cheap]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/amo-arm-pneumatic-prosthetic-does-mind-control-on-the-cheap/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/amo-arm-pneumatic-prosthetic-does-mind-control-on-the-cheap/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/amo-arm-pneumatic-prosthetic-does-mind-control-on-the-cheap/#comments We're no strangers to amputees moving stuff with their minds -- for that matter, a thought-controlled prosthetic isn't really new to us, either -- but the pneumatic arm you see here isn't like other intelligent limbs. Unlike most mind-operated prosthesis, the Artificial Muscle-Operated (AMO) Arm doesn't require invasive surgery, and according to its inventors, it costs a quarter of the price to make. Here's how the thing works: the host human wears a headset that sends brain signals to a chip in the arm that then matches those signals to a database of related actions, triggering a series of pneumatic pumps and valves to move the limb. Thus, if the wearer thinks 'up,' the arm moves up. The AMO Arm's creators, a pair of undergraduate biomed students, say that not only is their invention a steal to produce, but it also takes just minutes to acclimate to, which has us wondering, do you have to be missing an arm to get a hold of one of these things? You know, we can always use an extra hand. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading AMO Arm pneumatic prosthetic does mind-control on the cheap

AMO Arm pneumatic prosthetic does mind-control on the cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMO armAmoArmarmarticifial muscle operated armArticifialMuscleOperatedArmbiomedbiomedicalbiomedical engineeringBiomedicalEngineeringengineeringintelligent prostheticIntelligentProstheticmedicalmedicineMichal PrywataMichalPrywatamind controlmind controlledMindControlMindControlledpneumatic armPneumaticArmprosthesisprostheticprosthetic armProstheticArmprostheticsryerson universityRyersonUniversityscienceThiago CairesThiagoCairesthought controlthought control armthought controlled armThoughtControlThoughtControlArmThoughtControlledArmundergraduateTue, 05 Apr 2011 05:40:00 EST<![CDATA[BrainGate hits 1,000 day mind-control milestone, nearly three years of pointing and clicking]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/braingate-hits-1-000-day-mind-control-milestone-nearly-three-ye/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/braingate-hits-1-000-day-mind-control-milestone-nearly-three-ye/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/braingate-hits-1-000-day-mind-control-milestone-nearly-three-ye/#commentsAspiring Svengalis rejoice! For BrainGate has reached a significant landmark in computational thought-control -- the 4 x 4-mm implantable chip has given a woman with tetraplegia the ability to point and click with her brain for 1,000 days. An article recently published in the Journal of Neural Engineering said the woman, known simply as S3, performed two easy tasks every 24 hours, using her mind to manipulate a cursor with 90 percent accuracy. Each day she was monitored, S3 would post up in front of a computer and continuously command the thing with her thoughts for 10 minutes. Functionality reportedly deteriorated over time, but the paper points to the chip's durability, not sensor-brain incompatibility, as the culprit. Research is currently underway to incorporate BrainGate into advanced prosthetics that could get tetraplegics like S3 up and moving again. Now, how's that for the power of positive thinking?

BrainGate hits 1,000 day mind-control milestone, nearly three years of pointing and clicking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainbrain controlbrain controlled movementBrainControlBrainControlledMovementBrainGatechipcontrolimplantimplantableimplantable chipImplantableChipmedicalmedicinemindmind controlMindControlneuralparaplegicresearchsensorsensorsstudytetraplegicthoughtthought controlThoughtControlMon, 28 Mar 2011 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[NeuroSky shows off MyndPlay, we control movies with our brainwaves (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/neurosky-shows-off-myndplay-we-control-movies-with-our-brainwav/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/neurosky-shows-off-myndplay-we-control-movies-with-our-brainwav/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/neurosky-shows-off-myndplay-we-control-movies-with-our-brainwav/#comments Would you pay $100 to control the outcome of a movie with the power of your mind? That's what NeuroSky and Triete Labs are banking on with MyndPlay. Simply put, it uses NeuroSky's $99 Mindwave headset with a custom video player that monitors your mental activity during critical points in specially designed films, and offers multiple outcomes depending on your focus and relaxation levels. For instance, in Paranormal Mynd (above), you play an exorcist who must drive a evil spirit away -- if you don't focus intently, this woman will choke to death. Another gangster film has you dodging bullets and sports multiple endings; depending on how relaxed and concentrated you are, you could come away clean, take a bullet to the head, or dodge poorly and have the projectile strike your friend dead instead. MyndPlay plans to produce a raft of such short-form content for $0.49 to $1.99 per episode, and also let you shoot and share your own, scripting sequences with a tool to be released next month called MyndPlay Pro.

We gave Paranormal Mynd a try at GDC 2011, and came away somewhat impressed -- you definitely can control the outcome of a scene, but it doesn't work quite like you'd expect. Since NeuroSky's technology is still limited to detecting the mental states of concentration and relaxation, you can't "will" the movie to go the way you'd like with your thoughts -- in fact, thinking about anything rather than what you're seeing on screen seemed to register as a form of distraction, and lowered our scores. Instead, the ticket to success seemed to be focusing intently on processing the images on screen and clearing our head of all thought or emotion, making us feel totally brain-dead even as we aced the scene. If that sort of zombification sounds like fun, watch a couple video teasers after the break!

Continue reading NeuroSky shows off MyndPlay, we control movies with our brainwaves (video)

NeuroSky shows off MyndPlay, we control movies with our brainwaves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EEGGDC 2011Gdc2011hands-onheadsetinteractivemind controlmind readingMindControlMindReadingmovieMyndPlayneuroskyParanormal MyndParanormalMyndtheatertheatrethought controlThoughtControlTreite LabsTreiteLabsvideoFri, 04 Mar 2011 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Emotiv EEG headset hacked into VR trapeze act, lets you fly like Superman (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/emotiv-eeg-headset-hacked-into-vr-trapeze-act-lets-you-fly-like/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/emotiv-eeg-headset-hacked-into-vr-trapeze-act-lets-you-fly-like/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/emotiv-eeg-headset-hacked-into-vr-trapeze-act-lets-you-fly-like/#comments Last year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students built a virtual reality contraption that let them soar through the sky, held aloft by a trapeze harness and seeing through HMD-covered eyes. This year, they're controlling it with the power of their minds. For his master's thesis, project leader Yehuda Duenyas added an Emotiv headset -- the same one controlling cars and the occasional game -- to make the wearer seemingly able to levitate themselves into the air by carefully concentrating. Sure, by comparison it's a fairly simple trick, but the effect is nothing short of movie magic. See it after the break.

[Thanks, Eric]

Continue reading Emotiv EEG headset hacked into VR trapeze act, lets you fly like Superman (video)

Emotiv EEG headset hacked into VR trapeze act, lets you fly like Superman (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascentaugmented realityAugmentedRealitybrain controlBrainControlEmotivharnessinfinity simulatorInfinitySimulatormind controlMindControltelekinesisthought controlThoughtControltrapezevideovirtual realityVirtualRealityxxxyTue, 01 Mar 2011 22:35:00 EST<![CDATA[UCLA / Caltech researchers help patients move mouse cursors with their brains]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/ucla-caltech-researchers-help-patients-move-mouse-cursors-with/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/ucla-caltech-researchers-help-patients-move-mouse-cursors-with/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/ucla-caltech-researchers-help-patients-move-mouse-cursors-with/#commentsIt's certainly not a revolutionary new concept -- whiz kids have been tinkering with brain-controlled interfaces for years on end -- but a collaboration between UCLA scientists and colleagues from the California Institute of Technology has taken the idea one leap closer to commercialization. Itzhak Fried, a professor of neurosurgery at UCLA, kept a close watch (via embedded electrodes) on how a dozen humans reacted to certain images, and eventually, Fried and co. were able to show that Earthlings can "regulate the activity of their neurons to intentionally alter the outcome of stimulation." In other words, they were able to move a mouse cursor with just their mind, and brighten a test image with a 70 percent success rate. By honing the process of controlling what actions occur when focused on a given subject (or input peripheral), it opens up the possibility for paralyzed individuals to not only check their email, but also control prosthetic limbs. It's hard to say when this stuff will be put to good use outside of a hospital, but the video after the break definitely makes us long for "sooner" rather than "later."

Continue reading UCLA / Caltech researchers help patients move mouse cursors with their brains

UCLA / Caltech researchers help patients move mouse cursors with their brains originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bcibrain controlled interfacebrain-controlledbrain-controlled cursorbrain-controlled interfaceBrain-controlledCursorBrain-controlledInterfaceBrainControlledInterfacecaltechepilepsyhandicaphandicappedhealthItzhak FriedItzhakFriedmedicalmedicinemind controlMindControlneuronneurosurgeryparalyzedprostheticresearchseizurestudythoughtthought controlThoughtControlUCLAuniversityvideoTue, 02 Nov 2010 04:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel's mind reading computer could bring thought controlled interfaces to a whole new, frightening level]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/intels-mind-reading-computer-could-bring-thought-controlled-int/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/intels-mind-reading-computer-could-bring-thought-controlled-int/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/intels-mind-reading-computer-could-bring-thought-controlled-int/#comments
Thought controlled devices are pretty primitive at this point. Sure, everyone from Honda to the U.S. Army (of course) is conducting research, but at this point we don't have much to show for it all besides an evening of experimental music in Prague. If the kids at Intel have their way, computers will soon be able to look at a person's brain activity and determine actual words that they're thinking. The idea here is that the activity generated in the average person by individual words can be mapped and stored in a database, to be matched against that of someone using the thought control interface. So far, results have been promising -- an early prototype exists that can differentiate between words like screwdriver, house, and barn, by using a magnetic resonance scanner that measures something like 20,000 points in the brain. Anything more effective than that, such as dictating letters or searching Google with your mind alone is probably years in the future -- though when it does come to pass we expect to see a marked increase in expletive-filled liveblogs.

Intel's mind reading computer could bring thought controlled interfaces to a whole new, frightening level originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainintelinterfacemagnetic resonancemagnetic resonance imagingMagneticResonanceMagneticResonanceImagingmedicinemindmriresearchsciencethought controlThoughtControlWed, 25 Aug 2010 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan plans mind-reading robots and brain interface devices 'by 2020']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/japan-plans-mind-reading-robots-and-brain-interface-devices-by/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/japan-plans-mind-reading-robots-and-brain-interface-devices-by/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/japan-plans-mind-reading-robots-and-brain-interface-devices-by/#comments Our grandparents did warn us that laziness would get us in trouble. The Japanese government and private sector are, according to the Nikkei, all set to begin work on a collaborative new project to develop thought-controlled gadgets, devices ... and robots. The aim is to produce brain-to-computer interfaces that would allow the ability to change channels or pump out texts just with your almighty brain power, while also facilitating artificial intelligence that would be capable of detecting when you're hungry, cold, or in need of assistance. Manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Hitachi get name-dropped as potential participants in this 10-year plan, though we wonder if any of them will have the sense to ask what happens when an ultra-precise and emotionless bot is given both intelligence and mind-reading powers. Would it really stick to dunking biscuits in our tea, or would it prefer something a little more exciting?

Japan plans mind-reading robots and brain interface devices 'by 2020' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2020brain controlbrain interfacebrain wavesBrainControlBrainInterfacebrainwaveshitachihondainterfacejapanmind controlmind readingMindControlMindReadingosaka universityOsakaUniversityresearchrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypseroboticsrobotsthought controlThoughtControltoyotauser interfaceUserInterfaceFri, 23 Apr 2010 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[G-Tec Intendix brain-computer interface ready for consumers (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/g-tec-intendix-brain-computer-interface-ready-for-consumers-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/g-tec-intendix-brain-computer-interface-ready-for-consumers-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/g-tec-intendix-brain-computer-interface-ready-for-consumers-vid/#comments
If you've seen G-Tec's thought control cap being used to control a Second Life avatar, play a game of Pong, or make music in an orchestral setting, you probably wondered when the thing would become available for less frivolous pursuits (to help the disabled communicate, for starters). Well, it looks like that day is close at hand: With the brand name Intendix, the €9000 (about $12,250) brain-computer interface gives you everything you need to send text messages with brain activity alone via EEG cap. According to the company, most people achieve five to ten characters per minute the first time they use the thing, with some folks eventually typing as fast as 1 character per second. In addition to text messages, the system can also be used to trigger an alarm, send email, or send commands to external devices. There's no word on a shipping date yet, but we did thoughtfully provide that Second Life demo for you after the break.

Continue reading G-Tec Intendix brain-computer interface ready for consumers (video)

G-Tec Intendix brain-computer interface ready for consumers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-computer interfaceBrain-computerInterfaceEEGg-tecguger technologiesGugerTechnologiesintendixmind controlMindControlsecond lifeSecondLifethought controlThoughtControlWed, 10 Mar 2010 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Emotiv EPOC gets reviewed by Joystiq, proves once and for all that videogames turn your brain into mush]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/emotiv-epoc-gets-reviewed-by-joystiq-proves-once-and-for-all-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/emotiv-epoc-gets-reviewed-by-joystiq-proves-once-and-for-all-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/emotiv-epoc-gets-reviewed-by-joystiq-proves-once-and-for-all-th/#comments We don't want to ruin everything for you, but after some extensive testing by our friends over at Joystiq, it looks like the promising Emotiv EPOC needs a little more time in the thought sensing oven. In its review Joystiq points out the fragile, hard-to-handle nature of the $299 device, but more disappointingly found the thought-sensing functionality of the sensor-stuffed EPOC headgear to be a bit too random, haphazard and inaccurate to actually be enjoyable. Of course, you could blindly assume that 400 hours spent in WoW and a six digit gamerscore has somehow disqualified this Joystiqer's mind from those joys of telepathy, but before you plunk down your hard earned cash and shave off contact points all around your skull, we'd say the full review is at least worth a skim.

Emotiv EPOC gets reviewed by Joystiq, proves once and for all that videogames turn your brain into mush originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emotivemotiv epocEmotivEpocepochead gearHeadGearmind controlMindControlreviewthought controlthought sensingThoughtControlThoughtSensingWed, 27 Jan 2010 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Emotiv EPOC human-computer interface supposedly on track to ship next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/emotiv-epoc-human-computer-interface-supposedly-on-track-to-ship/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/emotiv-epoc-human-computer-interface-supposedly-on-track-to-ship/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/emotiv-epoc-human-computer-interface-supposedly-on-track-to-ship/#comments Remember that Emotiv EPOC mind-controlled USB controller from last year? Well, we've been dreaming of controlling a game of pong with merely our thought waves ever since, and it looks like our wish might at last be granted. According Emotiv's site, the $299 headgear will be shipping in limited quantities to US customers on December 21st, just in time for your thoughts of the holidays to coalesce into a concentrated, computer-controlling tip. The device works with 14 "saline sensors" applied to the head, in addition to a gyroscope for controlling a camera or cursor, and it comes with the "EmoKey" software to define keyboard shortcuts to be activated by your various expressions and thoughts. Will computer use ever be the same? Yes, probably.

[Thanks, Dan]

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Emotiv EPOC human-computer interface supposedly on track to ship next month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emokeyemotivemotiv epocEmotivEpocepocheadgearmind controlledMindControlledproject epochProjectEpochthought controlThoughtControlTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Thought controlled orchestra makes its debut in Prague]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/thought-controlled-orchestra-makes-its-debut-in-prague/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/thought-controlled-orchestra-makes-its-debut-in-prague/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/thought-controlled-orchestra-makes-its-debut-in-prague/#comments
The Multimodal Brain Orchestra had its world premiere last week in Prague, a city known for its big thinkers (and its Velvet Revolution). As a guy in black tie-and-tails led the traditional players through their arpeggios and glissandos, an "emotional conductor" led four performers fitted with G-Tec caps as they controlled both visuals and the sounds, frequencies, and volumes of various instruments. The controls were based on two of the effects that EEGs measure, SSVEP (or steady-state evoked potential) and the P300 signal. While we're not sure if this will ever take off in the classical world, we do think that there are quite a few turntablists who could do some wild things with a thought controlled Kaoss Pad. Are you listening, Korg? Video after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading Thought controlled orchestra makes its debut in Prague

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Thought controlled orchestra makes its debut in Prague originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anna MuraAnnaMuraBarcelonabrain-computer interfaceBrain-computerInterfaceEEGg-tecguger technologiesGugerTechnologiesmind controlMindControlMultimodal Brain OrchestraMultimodalBrainOrchestraPraguespecsthought controlThoughtControlUniversity Pompeu FabraUniversityPompeuFabraWed, 06 May 2009 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/31/hondas-asimo-will-be-thought-controlled-in-spaceballs-2/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/31/hondas-asimo-will-be-thought-controlled-in-spaceballs-2/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/31/hondas-asimo-will-be-thought-controlled-in-spaceballs-2/#comments Sorry, that's not actually Dark Helmet, it's a researcher demonstrating the latest Brain Machine Interface (BMI) cooked up for robotics. While it's not looking too portable, it's a far nimbler setup than the original MRI Scanner first concocted by Honda to control robots in near real-time back in 2006. This time, Honda Research Institute in coordination with Advanced Telecommunications Research (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have achieved robotic thought control using a sensor cap to measure electrical potential on the scalp and cerebral blood flow. While we've seen much of this BMI tech applied to video games in the past, Honda claims its technology achieves the world's highest accuracy at 90% without special training. Impressive, even though it's clearly R&D work for now. Check the video after the break.

Gallery: Honda's brain-controlled ASIMO



[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2

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Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asimoatrbmibrainbrain controlbrain machine interfaceBrainControlBrainMachineInterfacehondamrirobotshimadzuthought controlThoughtControlTue, 31 Mar 2009 03:31:00 EST<![CDATA["Thought helmets" could enable voiceless troop communication]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/thought-helmets-could-enable-voiceless-troop-communication/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/thought-helmets-could-enable-voiceless-troop-communication/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/thought-helmets-could-enable-voiceless-troop-communication/#commentsThis won't mark the first time the US government has looked into other means for helping soldiers communicate on the battlefield, but it's one of the first instances where vocal cords aren't even necessary. The US Army has recently awarded a $4 million contract to a coalition of scientists, all of which will soon start developing a "thought helmet" to enable voiceless, secure communication between comrades. In theory, at least, the helmet will boast a litany of sensors that will hopefully "lead to direct mental control of military systems by thought alone." According to Dr. Elmar Schmoozer, the Army neuroscience overseeing the program, the system will be like "radio without a microphone." Oh, and don't think for a second that they aren't considering civilian applications as well -- passing along jokes on the boss via telekinesis? Yes, please.

[Via Slashdot]

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"Thought helmets" could enable voiceless troop communication originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armybcibraindefensegovernmenthelmetmilitarymindmind controlMindControlsecuritysensorsensorsthoughtthought controlThoughtControlususawarMon, 22 Sep 2008 09:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers create music... with their minds!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/researchers-create-music-with-their-minds/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/researchers-create-music-with-their-minds/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/researchers-create-music-with-their-minds/#comments
G-Tec's thought control hat has been out there making people look silly for some time now, but a group of researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London have now put it to a somewhat more unique (but equally silly-looking) use. As the BBC reports, they've effectively turned the device into a musical instrument, with the wearer only required to think about a note as they flash on a screen in order to play it. It's apparently not quite a foolproof solution just yet, with it currently only able to play the correct note about six out of eight times, but the researchers see plenty of potential applications for the system, including helping composers struck down with multiple sclerosis or other physical disabilities. Hit up the read link below to check out a video demonstration.

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Researchers create music... with their minds! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>g-tecgoldsmithsmind controlMindControlthought controlThoughtControluniversity of londonUniversityOfLondonThu, 12 Jun 2008 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Epoc thought-powered controller: could gaming get any lazier?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/project-epoc-thought-powered-controller-could-gaming-get-any-la/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/project-epoc-thought-powered-controller-could-gaming-get-any-la/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/02/project-epoc-thought-powered-controller-could-gaming-get-any-la/#comments

We'd hoped that with the popularity of Nintendo's Wii, normally sedentary, perhaps unhealthy gamers would start prying themselves off the couch and get a little physical activity going -- and sure enough, some dude even succeeded in proving the efficacy of a Wii workout regimen. Well wouldn't you know it, along comes a company called Emotiv Systems and in one fell swoop, threatens to rollback all this great progress tubby fanboys have made. You see Emotiv has this pretty snazzy-looking helmet (minus that totally un-aerodynamic processing unit) which can -- get this --actually read your thoughts, just like those medical devices we've featured ad infinitum. But instead of some noble cause such as helping quadriplegics or enabling us to translate monkey thinking, the so-called Project Epoc is designed to take video games to the next level by exploding your input possibilities and removing even the minimal amount of calories burned through furiously smashing controller buttons. Because today's developers probably aren't taking thought-control into consideration when coding for input methods, the company is on hand with its Emotiv Development Kit, which gives game makers three distinct methods for employing the helmet; the Expressiv suite picks up the brain activity associated with different facial expressions, the Affectiv suite uses a player's emotional state to affect in-game activity, and the Cognitiv suite is said to allow the user to "manipulate virtual objects using only the power of their thought!" (Emphasis theirs, not ours.) Just as motion control has opened up a whole new world of interaction and gaming experiences, so could thought-control lead to a host of innovative titles and franchises: just imagine a Big Brother-esque game that forced you to think happy thoughts the whole time, or a GTA-like thrill killer where your posse and victims can tell if you're sporting a vicious scowl or a goofy grin. It's still not clear when you'll actually be able to go out and buy your own Epoc, but we know that it's being shown off at the 2007 GDC, so interested parties should whip up some press credentials and try to finagle a meeting.

[Via Medgadget]

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Project Epoc thought-powered controller: could gaming get any lazier? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emotiv systemsEmotivSystemsgaminggdc 2007Gdc2007project epocProjectEpocthought controlThoughtControlFri, 02 Mar 2007 00:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi creates brain-controlled model railroad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/18/hitachi-creates-brain-controlled-model-railroad/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/18/hitachi-creates-brain-controlled-model-railroad/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/18/hitachi-creates-brain-controlled-model-railroad/#commentsCompared to other advances in the world brain-controlled interfaces, Hitachi's latest development may seem a tad unimpressive, basically amounting to a thought-controlled switch. But, connect that switch to a model train set and you've suddenly got something that's a heckuva lot more impressive -- at least on first glance. To get that train rolling, Hitachi uses optical topography to map changes in blood flow in areas of the brain associated with mental activity, translating those changes into voltage signals to flip the switch on and off. Of course, Hitachi eventually sees the tech allowing for a much greater degree of control, with one of the goals being to help paralyzed patients become more independent. They also seem to think they're on the fast track towards commercializing the technology, saying it could be available as soon as five years from now.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

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Hitachi creates brain-controlled model railroad originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 05:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain controlBrainControlhitachimind controlMindControlthought controlThoughtControlSat, 18 Nov 2006 05:17:00 EST