[Unknown Soldier]

Researchers have made great inroad into probing the mysteries of the mind. IBM recently fully simulated a mouse brain using its Blue Gene supercomputers. Researchers also have gained key insight into the nervous system and the senses, learning for the first time how the nervous system changes on the fly to create the sense of smell.

Tech firm Emotiv developed the advanced mind-controlled gaming device. The device, titled "The Epoc," will retail for $299 and provide advanced control by reading electrical signals generated among the brain. Among its key features is its ability to detect over 30 facial expressions, emotions and actions based on these signals.

The Epoc relies on a technology known as Electroencephalography (EEG), a method of detecting of electrical signals from the brain. The technology, which has been used in the medical field for over a hundred years spawned the idea of a brain-based controller in the 1970s.

One useful application of The Epoc in video gaming is to control avatars, virtual digitalized representations of the user. By detecting facial expressions, a user wearing the headset who smiles will be mimicked by their in-game avatar. The ability to insert facial expressions, such as winks and smiles into games will give them new depth according to Ms. Le. For example, she said, If you laughed or felt happy after killing a character in a game then your virtual buddy could admonish you for being callous."

The device is worn comfortably on the users head and communicates wirelessly via a USB dongle plugged into the user's PC. Besides its EEG sensors it also makes use of a built in gyroscope. Among the supported abilities provided are excitement, meditation, tension and frustration; facial expressions such as smile, laugh, wink, shock (eyebrows raised), anger (eyebrows furrowed); and cognitive actions such as push, pull, lift, drop and rotate (on six different axis).

The device allows users to manipulate objects like never before in three dimensional game space, leaving many to fantasize what a game of Half Life 2 might be like with the device. However the device isn't all fun and games. Emotiv is also working with IBM to market the device to provide "strategic enterprise business markets and virtual worlds". The device and its brethren are keys to developing a workable 3D internet and virtual communication, in the future, said Paul Ledak, vice president, IBM Digital Convergence.

Read More: http://www.dailytech.com/Emotiv+Set+...ticle10787.htm

[MfA]

The facial mapping is interesting ... but on the other hand, that is much more comfortably done with image recognition and a webcam. Also how well does this connect through hair and how can it handle different head shapes?

[Blakhart]

I would much rather have a device that placed the crosshair where I looked.

[Davros]

ive sort of got one of those:
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/

ps: that brain controller $299

[Mariner]

Remember, you must think in Russian if you want to fire that missile!