What a great project for me to work on! Back in 2006 when I was at the MIT Media Lab I began work on a project called I/O Earphones; a pair of headphones that would be an (implicit) input device rather than just an output channel. Although that project went on the back-burner when I started working on the Pepsi Machine project, I was able to work with a production model of something that closely embodies what I wanted to create (Neurosky BCI Headset).
The best pert however was being able to control the CN Tower. Upon my arrival to Toronto I first noticed the amazing lighting system on the tower. Immediately thoughts of how I could gain control of these light coursed through my brain. Well, about a year later guess what I was doing?
Yep.
From InteraXon website:
When visitors arrive at Bright Ideas, InteraXon’s thought-controlled computing experience custom designed and built for the 2010 Olympics, they are lead to their own pod. In front of each pod is a large projection screen as well as a small training screen. Once seated, a trained host hands them a headset that will measure their brain’s electrical signals.
With help from the host, the participants learn to deliberately alter their brainwaves. By focusing or relaxing their mind, they learn to change the display on their training screen; music and seat vibrations provide immediate feedback to speed the learning process to five minutes or less. Now they are ready for the main event.
Thoughts are turned into light patterns instantaneously as their brain’s digital signal is beamed over the Rocky Mountains, across vast prairies all the way to three major Ontario icons – a distance of 3000 km.
This project – a first at this grand scale – allows each participant to experience a very personal connection with these massive Ontario landmarks, and with every Canadian watching the lightshow, whether online, or in-person.
