Playing Video Games using the power of the Brain

Very soon, at least by next year, you may be able to play your favorite video games using your brain. No kidding here. You can move a game object using your thinking power, rather than using a joystick or keyboard. Furthermore, make your character smile by simply smiling, or keep your cool to make your character remain undetected. That’s according to Emotiv Systems, a pioneering tech company in the field of neural-processing technology. All you need to do is wear a helmet which can detect human thoughts, emotions and actions. As a result, the brain power will control gaming characters’ actions, movements as well as manipulating diverse objects. The remarkable development is expected to enhance interaction between our brains and other electronic devices.
The Emotiv Development Kit (EDK) comprises of sensors which connect to the headset and is capable of processing dozens of user expressions, sensations and gesticulations. Principally, the brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells called neurons. Neurons stir up electrical activity and are observed using electroencephalography (EEG). At this point, a computer or similar device observes electrical brain activity, taking brain inputs in the process. The thoughts, actions and emotions of a human are then programmed into numerous actions and aspects within the game. Moreover, the EDK has a series of different application suites to enhance realism:
• Expressiv™ - detects facial expressions, enabling developers to simulate simple gestures.
• Affectiv™ - detects unnoticeable levels of emotion. This enables the game respond to a player’s change in emotions and feelings.
• Cognitiv™ - specially designed to detect actions and movements. This is the feature that allows gamers to manipulate or move objects through “thinking”.
Advancements in Brain Computer Interface technology will see its potential applied in various fields namely medicine, market research, security systems, interactive television, and accessibility design among others.