May the brainwaves be with you, jedi

[CmdrFly]

http://www.dailytech.com/Emotiv+Set...r+PC+Brain+Driven+Controller/article10787.htm

Tech firm Emotiv developed the advanced mind-controlled gaming device. The device, titled "The Epoc," will retail for $299 and provide advanced control by reading electrical signals generated among the brain. Among its key features is its ability to detect over 30 facial expressions, emotions and actions based on these signals.


A point emphasized by [Tan Le, president of US/Australian firm Emotiv] is that while the technology is existing, it has never been brought to the consumer market before. She sums up this breakthrough, stating, "This is the first headset that doesn't require a large net of electrodes, or a technician to calibrate or operate it and [doesn't] require gel on the scalp. It also doesn't cost tens of thousands of dollars."


One useful application of The Epoc in video gaming is to control avatars, virtual digitalized representations of the user. By detecting facial expressions, a user wearing the headset who smiles will be mimicked by their in-game avatar. The ability to insert facial expressions, such as winks and smiles into games will give them new depth according to Ms. Le. For example, she said, If you laughed or felt happy after killing a character in a game then your virtual buddy could admonish you for being callous."

Video demo: http://kotaku.com/358209/the-force-is-not-strong-with-emotivs-epoc?autoplay=true

I was blown away by the headband OCZ demo'd recently... this is even more impressive. If it works. I'm still curious what will result with a brain under the effects of drugs or alcohol.

 

[Arctyrael]

Suddenly, I can't get the Mark Twain devil youtube video out of my mind. I can't grasp the facial contortions, but that would be wicked fun to try and make the avatar do the same thing.

 

[Rorschach]

...anyone else think this is really just some way for a bald guy in a wheelchair to find mutants?

 

[Arctyrael]

lol, don't concentrate too hard...

 

[Uzor]

This technology have existed for almost 2 years. I read about it in my science magazine a while back where they talked about the future plans for it, including game controller.

 

[Tristam Green]

File photo of their pioneering researcher:

Where we're going, we don't need roads.

 

[Arctyrael]

FLUX CAPACITOR! 1.3 M GIGAWATTS - so on so forth... 88 mph, you get the idea lol

 

[Helius]

FLUX CAPACITOR! 1.3 M GIGAWATTS - so on so forth... 88 mph, you get the idea lol

If you need to be going 88 MPH, would the player run that fast IG too ?

This sounds pretty nifty and after they fix the tweaks and what not. I would prolly get this just for shits. Try and play FFXI

 

[Negorissimo]

What exactly would be the admonishment, electro shock to the forehead?

 

[CmdrFly]

This technology have existed for almost 2 years. I read about it in my science magazine a while back where they talked about the future plans for it, including game controller.

Thank you, captain know-it-all.

A point emphasized by Ms. Le is that while the technology is existing, it has never been brought to the consumer market before. She sums up this breakthrough, stating, "This is the first headset that doesn't require a large net of electrodes, or a technician to calibrate or operate it and [doesn't] require gel on the scalp. It also doesn't cost tens of thousands of dollars."

The Epoc relies on a technology known as Electroencephalography (EEG), a method of detecting of electrical signals from the brain. The technology, which has been used in the medical field for over a hundred years spawned the idea of a brain-based controller in the 1970s.

 

[Negorissimo]

The Epoc relies on a technology known as Electroencephalography (EEG)

Just what I suspected, electroshock to the forehead! XD

 

[K. Ishitar]

I"m not getting it...

Is it a device that allows others to control your brain and/or read your emotions?

Or do you send impulses with the device to a computer to send messages or images of your emotions...

It could work for those like Stevin Hawkins and stuff, if I understand its use correctly

 

[Uzor]

Thank you, captain know-it-all.

I know you mentioned it in the OP. You didn't mention for HOW long it has existed though

 

[Excalibur]

If it works. I'm still curious what will result with a brain under the effects of drugs or alcohol.

Buy me one and I'll let you know :thumbsup:

 

[Mishaela]

FLUX CAPACITOR! 1.3 M GIGAWATTS - so on so forth... 88 mph, you get the idea lol

88mph, huh...

 

[CmdrFly]

I"m not getting it...

Is it a device that allows others to control your brain and/or read your emotions?

Or do you send impulses with the device to a computer to send messages or images of your emotions...

It could work for those like Stevin Hawkins and stuff, if I understand its use correctly

Reads your brainwaves, and from what I understand some of your facial movements, then translates that into (basically) keyboard commands.

I would suspect they've devised some proprietary or open protocol that will be used for future features such as the ability for RL emotions to affect your in-game character's look.

It'll work for anyone, smart guy or not, theoretically. I'm no brain surgeon but I suspect it moreso detects the presence of electrical signals (which may give off interference, is that what brainwaves are?) which are common to the brain and not individual to each human. Purely speculation.

 

[Euphacent]

I read this thing doesn't actually read brainwaves. It just picks up muscle movement or the electricity produced by moving your facial muscles. You have to train the thing to know what is right, left, up, down, etc.

 

[Eilistrae]

I couldn't ever use one of these, people would see my pissed off face 99% of the time