The Emotiv EPOC: TK for the Masses
Man has always dreamt of moving objects with his mind. It’s just one of those things that everyone would love to be able to do. Let me give you an example:
See the little stick figure? See what he’s doing? Telekinesis: manipulating objects with his mind. In this case he is lifting a wooden box and stopping bullets.
Mind numbing announcement. We’re getting there. No, really. And knowing the kind of things I blog about, how do you think we are ‘getting there’? That’s right. Technology.
Enter Emotiv’s EPOC. A controller that captures signals through the skull much the same as electroencephalography does and shunts the data into a computer or game system for processing. (Think of actually reaching out and using the force instead of pushing the left trigger in the next Star Wars game.) For around 300 dollars, you can own a device that has the potential to turn your thoughts into commands for not only digital, but also real world items.
It’s actually an amazing device, and seems to do a decent job of coming-through performance wise. There are multiple videos showing off what it can do at Emotiv’s website. To get an a basic idea of what the EPOC is capable of, watch this video. Note: I found a better video that isn’t hosted by facebook. Click the link to enjoy!
Think of the possibilities. One could tie this to a microcontroller or a small computer (eee PC, anyone?) and use it to take control of anything from, for example, remote control toys to heavily modified remote operated lawnmowers. Think of any item you own that requires a button push; maybe the turn of a dial. Theoretically, you could do away with the physical contact of pushing a button or turning that knob, replacing it with nothing but mental concentration.
Not to say that is a simple thing to do, but have you looked at the hacking community? If it’s possible, then someone can do it. Enough said. Go check out that website. It’s worth it.
And yes. I have reserved my EPOC headset. :]
Woodchuck62 suggests that we change IZation Lab’s catch phrase to “Making the Brain USB 2.0 Compatible One Unsuspecting Victim At A Time.” Maybe we could put that on a t-shirt and sell it!
