Consumer brain-computer interface
As you read this blog article, your brain is processing what it sees on the screen. The devices you interact with the computer are most likely a keyboard, mouse or trackpad.
Imagine instead thinking about what you want the computer to do and the computer responding to that.
Tan Le from Australian company emotiv in the TED lecture below presents what could be described as a commercial mind-reading device.
The headset can be purchased for $US299.
I was writing the other day that science fiction looks ahead to where the future might go. Who’s for picking more of this to be part of it?
This is not the only mind-computer interface on the market; Wikipedia’s Comparison of consumer computer-brain interface devices page is one starting point to learning about competitor’s efforts.
Emotiv also has a Facebook page, where you might learn more about what they are doing. (Their latest post reports that interest in the TED lecture overwhelmed their web server.)
I would love to hear the experiences of anyone who has used any of these devices. It must be a remarkable experience when you first instruct a computer to do something directly with your brain.
Other articles on Code for life:
Walking with Rex (robotic legs for paraplegics)
iPads for the disabled (Perhaps a useful counterpoint to this post)
Temperature-induced hearing loss (Temporary loss of hearing during fevers or higher temperatures)
Describe your fantasy institute (The features of your ideal research institute are…?)
Basic fluid science on the space station (Video of simple, but intriguing science on the space station)
0 Responses to “Consumer brain-computer interface”
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Grant Jacobs, Sciblogs NZ. Sciblogs NZ said: Consumer brain-computer interface: As you read this blog article, your brain is processing what it sees on the scr… http://bit.ly/aAuKLr […]
[…] THOUGHT PLEASE: Australian company Emotiv have created a low cost headset that learns your thought patterns. Control software just by thinking about what you want to do: close curtains, turn on lighting, direct a wheelchair. What am I thinking now? […]
Readers of this story & video might find this bizarre law suit interesting:
“George Lucas sues over Jedi Mind headset”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4055447/George-Lucas-sues-over-Jedi-Mind-headset
(Note: Different company involved.)
[…] Consumer brain-computer interface […]
A recent news story reports a similar technology being used to control wheelchairs:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/4210931/Researchers-develop-thought-controlled-wheelchair
Without wanting to be too miserable, may I suggest you may want to start thinking about the security precautions that might be required if someone could set off a bomb by just thinking about it.
possum,
Erm, why should *I* have to start thinking about this? 🙂 (I’m not the developer of these things…)
Also in jest, read the final line of Rex and The Wrong Trousers – uncanny resemblance?:
“Now, imagine if someone fiddled with Rex, added wireless remote control and …*â€
Link: https://sciblogs.co.nz/code-for-life/2010/07/29/rex-and-the-wrong-trousers-uncanny-resemblance/
More seriously, you’re re-hashing the old saw about the evils of technology: I could offer the equally old saw about it being the user any technology, not the technology itself, that you have to worry about… 😉
Thanks for drawing my attention to that blog, Grant. I am a fan of Wallace and Grommit.
I’m not in any way against this technology as such, because I think it could do a lot of good for people who are not fully able, or for normally able people who would otherwise have to work in hazardous conditions.
I am a fan of Wallace and Grommit.
Me too. I was slightly amazed that Aardman’s people wrote back and gave me permission to use the image — very good of them. You can imagine playing out something like the plot of the movie with Rex, or some other remotely-controlled mobility device.
[…] Consumer brain-computer interface […]
A nice blog article about aesthetics and the Emotiv device can be found at the Universe blog:
http://scienceblogs.com/universe/2010/11/control_a_computer_with_your_b.php
Note that it’s wireless, has a gyro (so head movements can be used as input) and can monitor facial expressions.
[…] Consumer brain-computer interface […]