Guest blogged by Anuj on May 17, 2008
That has to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, I have talked a lot about brain-computer interfaces on this blog and here’s a practical example. This inconspicuous looking cap reads electroencephalogram (EEG) of the brain and then it wirelessly relays the data to computer where it can be processed, the wonderful thing is that we can set threshold levels for specific signals allowing you to perform certain tasks by thinking about them, for e.g. thinking about popcorn generates a specific signal we can associate that with the function of turning on the popcorn machine.
The best thing about this compact unit is that it has a battery life of two days, that’s brilliant they have managed to condense what used to be pretty bulky equipment into that and yet they have managed to achieve superlative efficiency; how do they possibly do this?
The system takes advantage of advances in sensor and information technology to achieve reduced power consumption and production costs. The cap contains five embedded dry electrodes on the wearer’s forehead, and one electrode behind the left ear, that acquire EEG signals. Then, the EEG signals are wirelessly transmitted to a data receiver, where they are processed in real-time by a dual-core processor. The BCI system includes Bluetooth transmission for distances of 10m or less (e.g., for driving applications), as well as RF transmission for distances up to 600m (e.g., for potential sports applications). Next, the processed signals are transmitted back to the cap, where the data can be stored, displayed in real-time on a screen, or be used to trigger an audio warning, if necessary. (source)
This is the future, we are about to reach critical mass when BCIs start becoming widespread and development accelerates due to newer players entering the field, innovation and profit will reap technology no one has even dreamed of. It’s the starting of boom time for an industry, and maybe my dreams of becoming cybernetics for the masses will come true one day. I am proud to be alive in this epoch.