Brain Wave Toys

How Brain Wave Toys Work

If you are ready for your brain waves to control the functioning of a game, then you are ready for brain wave toys. Toy manufacturers have been perfecting these toys for a number of years. NeuroSky, a 12-employee company in California founded in 1999, is using EEG waves (electroencephalography) to measure the brain's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp.

First, a gel is put over a hundred electrodes on a person's scalp. Then, a headset is secured on the head, and the brain waves are read by specialized software so that the objects in the game can move.

Emotiv Systems Inc., another company also based in California, has developed a gel-free headset which has eighteen sensors. This headset detects the brain waves which indicate blinks, nods, laughter, and smiles. It can even pick up conscious thoughts and unconscious emotions. Players can punch their opponent without a joystick or mouse.

NeuroSky created a character to look like Star War's Darth Vader who can turn his saber light or wand on and off without touching it. Using these sensors that react to brain waves, a biofeedback device, this character can magically make his light go off and then on again. The technology for this is adapted to software that computer or video games can read and then used to move objects within the game by using the headset.

An interesting fact is that when a child gets distracted and loses concentration, the wand or light goes off.

Computer programmers have written code that will make it possible to hook up the existing software to gaming consoles like Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360.

Some Brain Wave Toys

Two games have recently been developed--Crop Circle and Crossings. These games are controlled by the brain waves that signal software in the game console. Thus, the brain activity makes things move, change colors, sink under water, and re-emerge. Crop Circle is the most advanced of the two.

Helping Kids with ADHD, Autism, and Mood Disorders

The toys have been targeted toward gamers because Emotiv feels this will generate the most revenue for them. However, they plan to build the equipment for clinical and hospital use.

The possibilities are hopeful. This new technology could help paralyzed patients move in virtual realty. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorders could use the toy to gauge their anxiety levels and medication could be regulated accordingly.

The toys could also boost mental focus in children with the following disorders:

• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Autism
• Behavioral Disorders
• Mood Disorders

Brain Wave Toys may help children with disorders to become more communicative.

CyberLearning has already begun to market the EEG-and EMG-based biofeedback system. The system costs about $600. This price does not include the game console or video games.

CyberLearning has sold over 1,500 systems since 2005.

The Future is Coming

EEG prices are diminishing. Since NeuroSky's sensors don't require gel, and are the size of a thumbnail, they can fit into a headset, which could give the toy a price tag of only $20 in the near-future.

Keep your eyes peeled. Before you know it, brain wave toys will be available for the average consumer and chances are, your grade, middle, or high-schooler will be telling you all about them.

Similar Name; Different Products

With such similar names, Brain Waves Educational Toys, may be in for some consumer confusion. Brain Waves Toys, the makers of toys to enhance a child's cognitive development, uses the slogan: the educational toys for gifted children. Brain Waves is the creator of the popular Cranium and Cadoo games, along with V-Tech and kits that are fun for the chemistry-loving child. However, this company is not connected to the new brain wave toys.