Brainwave** sensors aren't really anything new - the phenomenon of post-synaptic potential has been observed and measured since 1885 (although back then the electrode was applied directly to an exposed brain), and EEG (electroencephalogram) machines have been around in various forms of usefulness for at least 30 years.

However there is a new technology that seems to be capable of measuring post-synaptic potential without the need for messy gels, skull scrapings, caps, or even wires of classical EEG.

Traditional EEG machines are big, messy (gels and liquids must be used), and cumbersome, just take a look at the examples shown below:



There have been attempts to streamline EEG headsets in an attempt to make them more appealing to the mass market - presumably in an attempt to open up the technology to wider use. The cleanest product I have seen in this space is Project Epoc by Emotiv Systems:

However there is a new technology that seems to be capable of measuring post-synaptic potential without the need for messy gels, skull scrapings, caps, or even wires of classical EEG.

It is based on a technology called a "Dry-Active Sensors" and a company called Neuro Sky has brought a product to market that looks more like a set of headphones than an EEG cap.

Obviously the sensor can't be measuring much of the brain, just a cluster to determine focus/concentration probably with respect to sight. But that is more than enough to demonstrate the technology and apparently enough to introduce push/pull telekinetic concepts into games.

Cool.

So, what can you really control with it? Well, in it's current form, not much by the look of it. But then Neuro Sky themselves seem to be pushing the product into the monitoring end of the application spectrum. For example: to detect if a truck driver is about to fall asleep at the wheel.

However, for me the limited set of currently identified applications isn't the point, it is the fact that a clean, light, wireless, and convenient post-synaptic potential measuring device has emerged.

I think this is going to be a very interesting technology to watch develop.

Who knows? This could be a valve-to-transistor moment right here. I hope they do well.



** "Brainwave" is a misnomer, there is no such thing - the brain does not produce an electrical wave. Then again, "brainwave" is much catchier than "post-synaptic potential".