Neurosky launches mentality neural input device

Move over Wii - NeuroSky controller continues the wave of the future as the second company to solidify plans for a launch controller brain 2008.

OCZ’s mind seemed revolutionary at CES’08 mouse, but for now the looks of things is better hurry up and release of your product or be left behind in 2008. Following fast on the heels of the announcement of Emotiv bringing the brain-entry “The Epoq” to consumers later this year, the company rival NeuroSky Inc. announced that its handset similar, “MindSet” was released to wholesalers, and Being suddenly in the hands of consumers.

Both Emotiv and NeuroSky has been developing its products for some time, but it seems NeuroSky May Emotiv beat the market. NeuroSky, based out of San Jose, California, the handset sells for about $ 50 per unit for wholesalers. The device that communicates wirelessly with game consoles, cell phones and personal computers. A more complex prototype of the unit, a model for future editions called “Project Millennia” appeared on the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last week. Apart from brain control, which also included a surround sound headphones to complete the experience, a nice extra perk for the players.

NeuroSky already has existing contracts with Sega Toys Co. Musinaut in Tokyo and Paris for the device. Musinaut plans to put the device to work in a musical interactive technology that controls the music from a user based on their thoughts and moods.

NeuroSky device also uses EEG, as Emotiv unit, but the initial version is a bit simpler in its implementation, with fewer options at stake. The players will be able to control these actions as “lift”, “moving” and “burn” with the device. A demo of a special video of the Discovery Channel can be seen here.

Stanley Yang, CEO of NeuroSky compared use of the device in Tiger Wood’s focus on the golf course, stating, “We want to support the fourth dimension to the gaming experience of the incorporation of the states of mind of the player. When Tiger Woods hits a golf ball, there are some of the preparations mental suffering. we build these aspects in the virtual game, as well! “

The device uses NeuroSky ThinkGear-MS technology. Last year it published its NeuroSky “MindKit SDK, a development environment where programmers can design controls based on the device to deliver unique and flexible applications. NeuroSky plans to release an updated SDK, “MindKit-MS technology-driven ThinkGear-MS in March 2008.

Yang believes his company product is easy to develop and has great consumer appeal. He declares, “We think of the market research data about what would attract the general population to gambling not only the use but to acquire a brainwave controlled handset. Naturally, pricing is always important But other challenges facing those NeuroSky their products had to be easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and a “near zero” learning curve. Kept simple to encourage a higher rate of adoption. Most people have never heard of these things, much less used. Unlike our competitors, we focus on the simplification of technology to its most basic element of a single sensor. “

NeuroSky even believes that the device could help treat ADHD in children - without drugs needed. According NeuroSky, MindSet can allow children to play games to teach their brains to be calm. Once children who suffer from ADHD perfect the art of controlling the mind, must be able to implement this with the rest of their daily activities, including school and athletics, according to NeuroSky.

Exactly how much fun the brain of drivers remains to be seen, but with a flexibility and an SDK in the product market, NeuroSky the announcement is certainly exciting news for the players and fans of high technology. Emotiv wait for OCZ and is not far behind, making 2008 truly the year of the electronic control of the mind.