Last Updated on Thursday, 25 March 2010 09:43 Written by Chris Hunter Sunday, 02 March 2008 20:28

Author: Chris Hunter

OCZ has announced mass production of their highly anticipated Brain Control Interface demoed at CeBIT 2007. The Neural Impulse Actuator, or NIA, interprets those letter erasing thought patterns into actual computer input commands. The BCI based device attaches to a triple electrode sweatband that sends amplified Alpha and Beta wave fluctuations emitted by the brain, and it monitors muscle use and eye position. It might be possible to save all those WASD keys like ours.

It is not that much different from a polygraph test. Instead of a reader interpreting sensor output from the skin to tell if a person is honest, the computer interprets the brain sensor output to determine if a command is required. Utilizing software, the NIA acts like a fully customizable joystick. Similar to "Game Controllers" under the windows control panel, users will be able to map specific biological feedback to a virtual button/axis on a controller. The virtual controller can then be mapped to commands in a game. Software implementations for GUI navigation and other desktop activities should follow soon.

What sets this device apart from the other BCI devices in development is the specific focus on PC gaming. Other players in the market are transitioning from the medical field into a broader consumer field, which has plans for unique gaming experiences. The NIA translates brain signals into keystrokes, so any game is compatible with this software. OCZ does not intend on replacing any input device, but they want to provide an extra layer of immersion in current and future generation games.

What has changed from the awkward 2007 demonstration is the new optimizations and sleek form factor. The NIA has been upgraded from a serial connection to a USB2.0 connection and has added multi-thread support through a Direct X hardware interface. Prior prototypes had severe problems overshadowing the game in pure processor demand. These enhancements make the setup more responsive, polished, and viable.

Through the brainfingers software made by BAT, there is access to several measurement values. These include eye position, Beta wave levels (Beta1, Beta2, Beta3), Alpha wave levels (Alpha1, Alpha2, Alpha3), and muscle contraction. These are visible in real time graphs as well. The wearer calibrates the unit to their own physiology, and creates a profile, which is transferable from PC to PC.

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For instance, an enemy pops around a corner and surprises the player. The exact reaction to the surprise can be mapped to fire the gun. Essentially, the gun would fire before the player knowingly recognized what happened. OCZ's VP of Technology Development, Dr. Michael Schuette has mapped his "Tourette's impulse" to the jump command in UT3. Every time he thought of an invective, his brain would generate a distinct signal that would make the character jump on screen. Something we would employ for dodge (missile! @#!@ = dodge right)

Retailers can purchase the NIA for around 300 USD per unit. OCZ will be presenting the mass production model at CeBIT 2008. They will also start accepting orders at the same time. What the consumer's price is set at is unknown now, but we will update when we get word.

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