Brainwave Technology

 

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has developed a new technology that allows users to change TV channels with their mind. To develop the technology, BBC collaborated with a studio called ‘This Place’ and used a brain-wave reader headset to create a prototype of ‘Mind Control TV’.

Ten BBC staff members participated in the trial of Mind Control TV wherein they used an experimental version of BBC iPlayer app to select a TV programme of their choice using their brains. Some participants used the device more comfortably but all were able to launch the app. Head of business development for BBC digital, Cyrus Saihan in a blog post said the technology is still at an experimental stage and that it has the potential to improve accessibility of media content to people with special abilities.

The electroencephalography (EEG) brain wave headset has a small sensor that rests on a user’s forehead and another clip that attaches to the ear. The headset measures electrical pulses in the brain. Moreover, participants in this experiment were able to select ‘concentration’ or ‘meditation’. If the participant selected concentration then the device and app will monitor his/her level of concentration and a corresponding graph will appear on the screen to let the user know about his/her level of concentration.