Nov.4, 2012
Neuro technology is still in its early stages, but some neuroscientists have already shown that we could detect some simple emotions such as excitement or boredom and cognitive thoughts such as push and pull. Bryan Salt of Thinker Thing in Santiago Chile took one step further: he is creating a software that allows the user to evolve 3d models with the power of thought.
When I was a child I used to think how incredible it would be to just imagine a thing and it would simply appear, ready made. This might still seem like science fiction, but amazingly the technology needed to make this a possibility is already in existence today, all that is missing is a creative approach to build the interface between mind and machine. - Bryan Salt
The Thinker Thing team is using EmotivEPOC, a high resolution neuro signal acquisition and processing wireless neuroheadset from Emotiv, to capture brainwaves and collect signals from the brain. These signals will then be recorded, interpreted and converted in their software Spiker Recorder. "The User will be stimulated by a number of images, their emotional response logged and new designs instantaneously evolved based on this information over several iterations. The users thought patterns and emotions will, in this way, evolve and define a 3d object." The 3D objects can be printed in ABS plastics using a Replicator 3D printer from MakerBot Industries.
Thinker Thing have been working alongside neuroscientists to understand the workings of the Brain, Electroencephalography (EEG) activity and biofeedback learning methodology. Recently one of their experiment which linked a human brain to a cockroach leg, translating human brain patterns to wave forms that could control a biological limb was featured on Discovery Channel. Their new build, the Salt Shaker is a low cost calibrated camera and software to allow you to record the response of a cockroach leg to music stimulus.
(Salt Shaker)
(Software)
Check out the video below.
Another nice test they have made was to control a 3D printed robotic arm via the mind. Check out the videos below.
Thinker Thing just launched their first project in their "Objects from Thought" series "the Monster Dreamer" on ideame. Children will be able to evolve a 3D model of a monster of their dreams using the power of their minds, which will then be printed out as a real object. They are raising money for developing the software and purchasing the hardware needed to build the Monster Dreamer. Want to own the first ever Thought Toys? or simply want to support them? Find details of the project here.
On completion of the machine we will be touring the regional schools of Chile to allow Chilean school children to be the first in the world to create objects with just their thoughts.
Source: Thinker Thing
Posted in 3D Software
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