The problem with various devices controlled by brainwaves is that we have no idea what sort of brainwaves we are generating. We can perceive only the internal states they generate. It is like a blind person making sculpture - the artist knows how the work feels but cannot tell how it looks.
EEG machines are huge, fearfully primitive looking affairs. Most are clearly relics from the 1970s. I propose a small, modern home EEG machine with a limited number of leads and a visual readout (rather than a long strip of paper). The readout would display a shape, number, or some other visual cue corresponding with the detected signals.
Once it is possible to perceive what the machine detects, we can start developing mind control for electronics. Imagine there is a transient pattern you notice coming up on the readout. Using biofeedback, you could train yourself to think so as to hold that pattern for a full second. Now a remote control hooked up to the home EEG machine could be programmed to do a task (eg: flip the channel) when the given pattern appears and is held for a full second.
This type of interface would be great for a motorized wheelchair used by a quadriplegic.-- bungston, Apr 16 2003 Proposed application. http://www.halfbake..._20Remote_20Control [bungston, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] M I N D S E T M S - 1 0 0 0 http://www.elixa.com/mental/MindSet.htm(From the first link of a Google search for +EEG +Biofeedback +Kit) "The new standard in affordable topgraphic neuromapping...Mindset is a 16 - Channel Electroencephalographic Neuromapping System designed for use with a personal computer. Mindset combines topographic neuromapping and electroencephalographic analysis software with a 16 channel, 1024 sample-per-second, 16 bit digital EEG acquisition instrument, to provide a complete, yet extensible, EEG Neuromapping system...An all aluminum enclosure, sized to match the footprint of a notebook PC, ensures durability and isolates Mindset from environmental interference." [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004] I'd get one and start developing games with it right away!
[mod: see link. Don't put URLs into annotations, create links for them.]-- cowtamer, Apr 17 2003 random, halfbakery