14 DAY TRIAL // Emotiv is a neuro-engineering company that claims to have created a brain computer interface that reads electrical impulses in the brain and translates them into commands which a video game can accept. The device was demonstrated at the Game Developers Conference and, although interesting, the technology seems to still have a few bugs.
Emotiv claims the headset can pick up on neural currents and translate them into complete and usable commands. These commands can then be issued in a game environment so the player actually controls his actions, his expressions or his surroundings by using just the brain computer interface and no other controller.
A gyroscope is used to detect movements of the head, and built-in wireless capabilities let it transmit the data to a receiver plugged into the computer. Emotiv claims the headset detects more that 30 expressions, emotions and actions, such as excitement, meditation, frustration, smiles, laughs, anger and movement on six different axes.
The demonstration at the GDC has showed that the helmet is far from perfect. There are instances when the device doesn't recognize motions or emotions and there are times when the signals it sends don't match the intentions of the person using the helmet. Also, it often takes a bit of time for thought to transform into action while using the device.
Emotiv has a partnership with IBM to further develop the technology they have created so that it can be used in the business markets and all kinds of virtual worlds. Paul Ledak, vice-president of IBM Digital Convergence, says he sees the headset as one of the most important components of future virtual communication.
Emotiv says that it plans to approve the brain computer interface for commercial release later this year, at the price of 299 dollars. If the bugs are ironed out, such a device could have a huge impact on the way games are played and, more importantly, on the way humans interact with computers in general.