Mind Control to Replace Joysticks?

Here’s an intriguing article about new gaming technology that will use brainwave power to control onscreen action. Gene Koprowski at Fox News writes of helmets with scalp nodes that users can wear while playing the Xbox or PlayStation. Alpha, Theta, and Beta brainwaves are detected by the nodes, and used to control action onscreen. A key quote:

“The technology is similar to the electroencephalogram that neurologists and other doctors use to measure brain activity,” said Domenic Greco, a doctor of clinical psychology and the founder of SmartBrain Games, a developer in San Marcos, Calif. “It’s a neuro-feedback system which sends a signal of brain activity to a specially designed game controller.”

Several other companies are involved, as well. The technology has been around since the 1990s, but recent developments have been able to reduce production costs to consumer levels. First appropriated by the medical field, the technology now seems poised to find its way to the consumer gaming market.

One promising application for educational gaming and other computerized interventions: the sensors can purportedly detect boredom, excitement, and stress levels. Conceivably, games can be written that will speed things up when the sensors detect the user is bored, or slow things down if it detects the user is stressed. This may be a boon to educational software that can adjust itself automatically to the pace and level of difficulty required by individual users at any given moment.

If this technology reaches its promises, we’ll have to redefine “mental prowess.” Perhaps “mind control” will need to be rethought as well. Certainly, those with motor control difficulties or other impairments may find this assistive technology highly useful.

References
Koprowski, G. J. (2007, October 5). ‘Brain interfaces’ let players control video games with thoughts, not thumbs. Fox News. [Online]. Available: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299456,00.html