Emotiv EPOC headset
The Emotiv EPOC headset uses 'non-invasive electroencephalography'

Neuro-headset allows hands-free gaming

Gadget allows gamers to interact with the virtual world

Guy Dixon

A gaming headset that can read the interaction of neurons in the brain will go on sale later this year priced at $299.

The Emotiv Development Kit from Emotiv Systems allows developers to create games that respond to a player's emotions.

Advertisement

Gamers then control characters' expressions and manipulate objects using only the power of their brain, according to the company.

The Emotiv EPOC headset works by using "non-invasive electroencephalography" to interpret neural activity between the brain's 100 billion cells.

Emotiv Systems said that the headset can read more than 30 different expressions, emotions and actions.

Detectable facial expressions include smiling, laughing and winking, and the headset can also pick up on excitement, meditation, tension and frustration. Detectable cognitive actions include pushing, pulling, lifting, dropping and rotating.

Brain-computer interfaces dramatically change the way players interact with a game

Nam Do Chief executive and co-founder, Emotiv Systems

The wireless headset uses a gyroscope to detect movement and communicates with a USB dongle when plugged into a computer.

"Brain-computer interfaces dramatically change the way players interact with a game and have a profound effect on the gaming experience," said Nam Do, chief executive and co-founder at Emotiv Systems.

"Developers are looking to this technology to take their games to another level, to differentiate their products and to retain their fans.

"Current interfaces, such as keyboards and controllers, are relatively basic and non-intuitive and are out-of-keeping with the sophistication levels of today's games and the move towards more immersive environments."

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Further reading

Human brain

Machines to match human brain by 2029

US futurologist predicts official arrival of artificial intelligence

Casual gamers play along with in-game ads

Gamers will watch in-game ads in exchange for free game play

Wii sales beating Xbox 360 and PS3

Nintendo console predicted to be most popular by end of 2008

Nintendo Brain Game brands Northerners thick

DS game flummoxed by Lancashire accent

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

eu flag

V3.co.uk weekly debrief, 6 Nov 09

This week, Europe decides what to do with illegal file sharers

Intel unveils its micro server platform

Small-enclosure systems take aim at hosting market

IT white papers

Search white papers

Top categories

Poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

What is the biggest problem your firm faces as a result of the data explosion?

View poll results

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Spotlight

eu flag

V3.co.uk weekly debrief, 6 Nov 09

This week, Europe decides what to do with illegal file...

Dell Adamo XPS

Dell launches ultra-thin Adamo XPS

World's thinnest laptop will be available by Christmas

Top 10 articles, 6 November 2009

The worst Microsoft products of all time, and a USB...

Iain Thomson

Pirate Bay shutdown could be inspiring online militancy

Recent Swedish attacks raise worrying possibility

Primary Navigation