DailyTech - Emotiv Promotes Mind Control For Video Games

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Software Emotiv Promotes Mind Control For Video Games
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - March 9, 2007 12:42 AM

24 comment(s) - last by freaktmp.. on Mar 10 at 2:40 PM

Emotiv Systems hopes to allow gamers to use their brain as a next-generation game controller

Today Emotiv Solutions debuted the Project Epoc system, a brain-computer interface system comprised of a headset that is able to read the electric signals of the human brain. It also has the ability to detect and process a player's conscious and unconscious emotions during game play. The technology was unveiled during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

The Epoc is primarily aimed at increasing the amount of realism for gamers, but it could also alter the way humans and computers interact according to Nam Do, Emotiv chief executive. The game reportedly makes it possible for gamers to control and manipulate the virtual world in a video game with thoughts and/or emotions.

The system shown during GDC featured Expressiv, Cognitiv and Affectiv, the three main application suits for Emotiv's technology. Expressiv mimics the facial expressions of the person being tested. Affectiv detects set levels of emotions or feelings. The third and final application, Cognitiv, is designed so users can control the movements of virtual objects with actions that include pulling, flipping, rotating, etc.

Emotiv Systems also launched the Emotive Development Kit, a software package aimed towards game developers, and announced that the Project Epoc system would be developed for uses in other fields, including security, market research and medicine.

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I was wondering when this tech would surface.

By Bladen on 3/9/2007 4:07:43 AM , Rating: 2

Soon I will only need my hands to scratch my bum!

RE: I was wondering when this tech would surface.

By End Of Times on 3/9/2007 4:24:41 AM , Rating: 5

No, you will be able to mind control, some other persons hand to do it for you.

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RE: I was wondering when this tech would surface.

By Visual on 3/9/2007 4:45:04 AM , Rating: 2

nah, its easier to just rub it against the chair.
on the topic now, i wonder if that actually works. especially the affectiv part... is there a video or anything to demo this cool device?

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RE: I was wondering when this tech would surface.

By othercents on 3/9/2007 9:03:35 AM , Rating: 2

I didn't see a demo on there website, but it shouldn't be that hard to get any game to work especially since the headpiece is essentially an input device. Any input you give it can be a signal for a keystroke. The only problem with these devices is control. You have to train your brain. If you are sick then you will probably have issues trying to play.

This device does remind me of the movie Lawnmower Man 2. Not that great of a movie, but had plenty of mind control type devices.

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RE: I was wondering when this tech would surface.

By Seemonkeyscanfly on 3/9/2007 9:44:35 AM , Rating: 2

So, like if you were drinking a few beers would that chance your brain waves therefore make it hard for the device to pick up what you are trying to do?

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The anti-wii

By GoatMonkey on 3/9/2007 8:35:12 AM , Rating: 2

This is the complete opposite of the current trend toward realistic control of physical games like golf, bowling, dancing, guitar playing, etc.. If this actually works and is not just vaporware, which it probably is, then you could see clearly divided camps of gamers. One group would be more physically involved in the games while the other would sit like zombies.

RE: The anti-wii

By Hare on 3/9/2007 8:56:56 AM , Rating: 2

I can't see why these should be mutually exclusive. Just wear that "cap" and use a wiimote as a sword.

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RE: The anti-wii

By GoatMonkey on 3/9/2007 10:53:07 AM , Rating: 2

Yeah, you guys are probably right. That would be cool to have both.

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RE: The anti-wii

By Cogman on 3/9/2007 8:58:47 AM , Rating: 2

Lol, this is exactly what I thought when I first read it "Dang, there goes the advantages of the Wii" On the other hand, if they are looking for motor responses, they might just give you a Wii like controller to hold and move around like you would in the game (so that it can read the motions of the arm) of course the problem with that is the fact that people are different and so a very stingent calibration would have to be made. (Move the remote 2 inches to the left, now life it 2 inchs, Error, too much processing power used.)

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RE: The anti-wii

By othercents on 3/9/2007 9:07:45 AM , Rating: 2

I see them both trying to get you involved in the game. Removing the static keyboard or controller that has you press A to kick. Based on the pictures on the Emotiv site most people were moving their hands and bodies to get the information inputted into the system. It isn't that easy to just think you are going to move to get the input. Many times you have to actually tense up the muscle group used in that function.

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Quite interesting

By freeagle on 3/9/2007 4:38:42 AM , Rating: 2

This looks very interesting. Controling the game avatar with just your thoughts gives you A LOT of addtional freedom compared to using mouse, keyboard or controller.
But I think there could be a problem with non-causal gamers using this tech. Imagine someone playing these kind of games all days long. His mind concentration would probably be extremely high, but his motoric functions would degenerate quite rapidly.

RE: Quite interesting

By therealnickdanger on 3/9/2007 8:29:50 AM , Rating: 2

I think the type of people you are worried about have already lost a lot of their "motoric" skills.

http://www.chrisdiclerico.com/wp/wp-content/upload...

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I was hoping they would start a thread here about this

By Iroh on 3/9/2007 8:29:30 AM , Rating: 2

OK, why just limit this technology to video games?

Imagine what other applications something like this could be used for.

One could use it as an emotion sensor during counseling or certain interpersonal discussion to indicate when one is getting upset, angry, excited in someway.

It could potentially control other remote devices. Imagine remote controlling a lawn mower, take the place of a TV remote. Imagine turning lights on in your house with a thought or facial expression.

You plug the cap into a palm pilot and it does all of the wireless communication.

This palm pilot could also display your home thermostat data, your emails, your voicemails all which you can access and configure by sending simple commands using thoughts - or worse case scenario - facial expressions. Check and adjust the temperature without getting up from watching TV.

The cap should be light weight, non-obtrusive, made of a spandex-like, breathable, form-fitting material so it's comfortable and elastic.

Perhaps after a few generations of design, it may get smaller, like something you wear like headphones.

...

Once something like this comes out and works, it could revolutionize everything.

Simple commands controlled by thoughts could control many tasks which people often do manually. Opening/closing the garage door, turn/off your car, turn on the radio, changing radio stations without taking your eyes off the road, sending a signal for help...

I can't wait to see if this device lives up to my expectations.

RE: I was hoping they would start a thread here about this

By Seemonkeyscanfly on 3/9/2007 9:54:41 AM , Rating: 2

Oh just come out and say it...web chatting with your "friends", moving the Cam and type without using your hands...leaving your hands free to do whatever... That's what you are really driving to, right? :) Enjoy...

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Wouldn't it be great...

By BMFPitt on 3/9/2007 9:36:39 AM , Rating: 2

This + Wiimote = The most awesome Jedi game ever.

RE: Wouldn't it be great...

By iNGEN on 3/9/2007 11:10:25 AM , Rating: 2

That is exactly what I was thinking. Combining this type of control with a Wiimote would provide an new level of immersion not possible today. I was just picturing a game of Oblivion with this thing. Being able to select and cast spells, change weapons, raise and lower your shield, jump, climb, crouch, and hack away at the enemy without saving to sit in that damned chair.

I imagine it would actually lend great diversity to play as well since you could lend a greater degree of freedom to the player by tying the physics model directly to input.

If a device of this nature becomes mature enough to be practical for use in games like Battlefield 2142 I would gladly pay $300 - $400 for it.

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Emotiv Promotes Mind Control For Video Games

By fanofbestech on 3/9/2007 11:07:06 AM , Rating: 2

It also has the ability to detect and process a player's conscious and unconscious emotions during game play.
Anyone remember the batman movie with Jim Carey as the Riddler? Sounds suspiciously like "the box" to me lol.

RE: Emotiv Promotes Mind Control For Video Games

By iNGEN on 3/9/2007 11:17:43 AM , Rating: 2

Remember in MechWarrior and the original Unreal Tournament how the HUD contained an image of whoever was speaking or one for each member of your squad. It was a cool effect, but the canned animations and lack of lip synch led it nowhere. At the risk of looking too much like Max Headroom you could have live virtual imagery of your playmates. Going one step further, in game models could easily be manipulated by input created by speech. So the in-game representations of the players could speak (not just produce sound but actually speak), shake their head, look around, cough, etc. Imagine how much more immersive a game would be. I hope this tech goes somewhere.

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Thus could be useful as a more "passive" input device as well.

By Chris Peredun on 3/9/2007 1:40:11 PM , Rating: 3

Imagine playing a frightening, disturbing game ... only this time, the game knows exactly which scenarios or situations creep you out. And then it does it more often, and more intensely. Enemies could sense the player's fear, and take advantage of it. Conversely, they could sense the overwhelming confidence of a skilled player, and wait to attack until they had a positional advantage.

Or there could be a wall of fire in front of you. Approach it with apprehension and caution, expecting it to burn you, and it will. If you truly believe that the fire isn't real - which the game could pick up on as confidence - and the flames subside.

And?

By Spivonious on 3/9/2007 10:01:24 AM , Rating: 2

The product is neat, but unless it's affordable and gets developer support, it will die on the design floor.

What I want to see...

By KaiserCSS on 3/9/2007 10:06:24 AM , Rating: 2

... is this technology being used in a different application, such as remote piloting or driving, or operating machinery with extreme precision. Perhaps even allow surgeons to use robots instead? I've seen that type of surgical technology being used in tests, but from what I can gather, those tools are still subject to trembling and other human errors because of the "hands-on" interface. With something like this, who knows?

Anybody ever wanted to pilot an Armored Core before?

Good signals?

By Whedonic on 3/9/2007 12:01:54 PM , Rating: 2

I really wonder how well this thing picks up the brain's electrical signals. This kind of thing has been done in research, but the best results have been with implanted sensors, maybe they've made progress in countering signal attenuation through the skull?