This mind-control or better ‘machine-control’ future is lead by Silicon valley company Neurosky. They showed off its innovations at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas 2007.
Neurosky’s cost effective bio sensor and signal processing system technology turns brainwaves into commands – different emotions lead to different actions, either combined with a computer game,
While Neurosky simply builds the brainwave-reading component, other companies like Ologic apply it to machines like robots.
Ologic’s CEO Ted Larson: “What we are really the most excited about is that you could pretty much control any mechanical system using their technology.”
Neurosky expects to market their mind machine soon for videogames, toys and even mobile phones.
Brainwaves
The neurons that comprise the brain work on electrical impulses. The last century of neurological research has shown us that brainwaves of different wavelengths indicate different emotional states, like a focused awareness, a meditative state, or drowsiness. Brainwaves have been used in medical research and therapy for years.
Mind machines
A mind machine alters the brainwave frequency of the user with sound and/or light which leads to altered states of consciousness. (Similar to the effects of meditation or shamanic exploration.)
The process is also known as brainwave synchronization or entrainment. For example, an EEG-device can be used as a mind machine to bring you in a state of deep relaxation which helps learing a new language. Altered states of consciousness triggered by mind machines can also help healing stress-related illnesses.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
EEG uses electrodes attached to the head to read the output of brain signals, small electrical neural impulses generated by thought and mental state.
3D Internet
Neurosky’s brainwave-reading technology could also be used in the soon to come 3d internet. It might turn out to be one of the gadgets that make the ‘Matrix’ real. Imagine navigating your avatar in the 3D worlds just with your thoughts!
2 Comments
Fascinating stuff.
It’s great to see some mind control toys coming onto the market already, but they’re only a fraction of the sophistication we’ll see in the future.
There’s an incredible amount of control available as shown in your videos – the big question is, when will it be available to all consumers cheaply :)
Incredible technology! Yes, mind-control like this might play an important role in the coming 3d Internet!