Lazlo
06-28-2008, 02:28 AM
OCZ's Neural Impulse Actuator is a computer input device [marketed as a game controller] that allows the user to perform configurable keyboard commands using only face muscles, eye movement, and thought.
By incorporating an electro-myogram, electro-encephalogram, and electro-oculogram into a small headband and a little black box with a USB connector, the company has developed a control system that can translate eye movements, facial muscle movements, and brain waves into game input.
http://techreport.com/r.x/ocznia/niaalone_600.jpg
The NIA software lists eight different inputs in total. The bulk of those inputs are made up by a "muscle" input that tracks facial muscle tension (largely from jaw and eyebrow muscles) and a "glance" control that tracks lateral eye movement. Six brain-wave inputs—three for alpha waves and three for beta waves—fill out the neural control aspect of the NIA. This post by Dr. Schuette suggests alpha waves correspond to aggression and that beta waves can correspond to pain management. For instance, one can trigger the Alpha 2 meter by thinking of an expletive. (emphasis added)
This might cause a problem for some of us... given my propensity to cuss while playing a game, and the constant pain management required to deal with injury, my character would likely spend most of its time running backward and jumping for no reason.
Still, it's encouraging to see a mass-market hand-free computer interface device. I hope this product is successful, and perhaps future versions will expand the capabilities and address some of the issues.
The NIA costs $159.
Source: http://techreport.com/articles.x/14957
By incorporating an electro-myogram, electro-encephalogram, and electro-oculogram into a small headband and a little black box with a USB connector, the company has developed a control system that can translate eye movements, facial muscle movements, and brain waves into game input.
http://techreport.com/r.x/ocznia/niaalone_600.jpg
The NIA software lists eight different inputs in total. The bulk of those inputs are made up by a "muscle" input that tracks facial muscle tension (largely from jaw and eyebrow muscles) and a "glance" control that tracks lateral eye movement. Six brain-wave inputs—three for alpha waves and three for beta waves—fill out the neural control aspect of the NIA. This post by Dr. Schuette suggests alpha waves correspond to aggression and that beta waves can correspond to pain management. For instance, one can trigger the Alpha 2 meter by thinking of an expletive. (emphasis added)
This might cause a problem for some of us... given my propensity to cuss while playing a game, and the constant pain management required to deal with injury, my character would likely spend most of its time running backward and jumping for no reason.
Still, it's encouraging to see a mass-market hand-free computer interface device. I hope this product is successful, and perhaps future versions will expand the capabilities and address some of the issues.
The NIA costs $159.
Source: http://techreport.com/articles.x/14957