Science Fiction Meets Science Fact - example #1
With the Nintendo Wii gaming system, gamers are able to mimic the movements of the characters on-screen, which is translated into movements of the actual computer generated characters. So whether its swinging a golf club, tennis racket or baseball bat, users holding onto a Wii controller simply mimic the swing to make the character move. The interactive Wii gaming system is much more fun to use over the joystick or button-filled controller that gamers needed with older gaming systems such as earlier Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Colleco Vision, or Atari systems. Remember the big rollerball that used to control the Pong game?
Well, I read a story recently on The New York Times website, about a couple of new products aimed at the gaming arena that I think also could be used to augment the computer peripherals that digital photographers use. Nowadays a mouse and keyboard are the norm, with many folks using a pen and tablet of some kind to retouch photos.
What if you didn’t even need to lift a finger in order to retouch your photos?
By the end of the year, gamers will be able to use thoughts and emotions alone to play video games. Science Fiction, you say? Nope, fact. There are currently a few companies who are developing usable headsets–similar in concept to the EEG testing equipment that doctors use to measure the electrical signals emitted by brainwaves–for gamers.
In layman’s terms, such systems work by picking up the electrical impulses that are emitted by the brain’s nerve cells or neurons. Its similar to the way bio-feedback works. Using non-invasive EEG or Electroencephalography, these electical impulses can be processed by the BCI or Brain Computer Interface, so emotions and thoughts and expressions can be processed to control or influence the game or application.
Emotiv, a San Fransisco-based company, is developing the Emotiv EPOC, a headset device that is non-invasive, wireless, and is worn on the head with the goal of, “introducing the immediacy of thought to the human-machine dialog.” In other words, technology developed by Emotiv will allow computer applications to be controlled and influenced by the users thoughts and feelings. [By the way, the photo at the top of this blog entry is of Tan Le, president of Emotiv and EmoBot. Take a really close look, they’re both winking!]
Future applications are also being developed, for a range of industries such as TV, research, medicine, security, and accessibility design.
Why stop there. Why not computer use in general. Think about the possibilities in photography alone. Retouching cramps your hands? No worries, just think about the changes you need to make on that portrait and watch the computer do the work. Talk about speeding up workflow! Hec, why not use such a device–incorporated within a camera–to get the shot that much faster. Photojournalists and sports photographers could capture images faster than the time it now takes them to see the action through the viewfinder and click the shutter button. You’ve now greatly increased your reaction time. Makes the idea of the “decisive moment” as Henri Cartier-Bresson termed it that much more intuitive.
It’s Affordable Too
According to Emotiv’s website, the company is planning on releasing its first Brain Computer Interface, (the EPOC) to consumers later this year at the affordable price of $299. The company is also embarking upon the development and creation of an online portal for EPOC users. The Emortal will allow social interaction, offer content for download, feature a virtual world that can be explored, have areas for user-based content to be uploaded so it can be experienced with the system, and more.
Another company, OCZ Technology is developing a somewhat similar device. The NIA or Neural Impluse Actuator, is designed to be used in conjunction with a mouse for an immersive gaming experience. Using bio signals, the company’s website says will give users the ability to hone their reflexes and become their characters. The OCZ unit is worn around the forehead like a headband and uses signals generated by the muscles, brain and eyes. According to the company, the unit can also be configured to work with current games as well as future releases. The price for this system: $169.
Pretty interesting…
The New York Times article can be found at: www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/technology/08novel.html?_r=1&sq=emotiv&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1213210966-OKVE4THHa9Nx41iEDpFWIQ
Best,
Diane
June 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The concepts are exciting and I am sure that they can be successfully implemented. However, the training to accomplish thought directions to move a point(cursor) or object in three dimension virtual space is to my scientific mind an almost insurmountable task. Lastly, it may be more a possibility with young minds in development rather than older individuals who will have more learning blocks to overcome. It certainly is worth waiting for but I would be most hesitant to invest any funds into their stock unless one is willing to go at great risk or more likely, go for a “quick killing”.