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.
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At ThinkerThing we propose to make tomorrow's intuitive interfaces of the mind, to literally generate real objects by thought.
Objects From Thought
As any parent will tell you a childs imagination is boundless. My own son, Noah, currently lacks the motor skills to use a pencil well, yet he finds it easy and intuitive to navigate a touch tablet interface. What if we could create interfaces directly to the imagination, allowing the creation of real physical objects from thought.
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Our aim at ThinkerThing is to create the software to interface the latest neuro technological equipment with the latest in 3D printing machines to literally make objects with the power of thought.
The Hardware
Our first prototype will utilize the EmotivEPOC, a high resolution neuro signal acquisition and processing wireless neuroheadset to collect signals from the brain. Our software will allow the user to evolve 3d models with the power of thought which will then be created in ABS plastic using a MakerBot Industries Replicator, the latest in desktop 3d printing technology.
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“Thinker Thing is developing new techniques and methods which could have a profound impact in the areas of product design and manufacturing.” Andy Wild VP Product Development SwiftKey
The Software
Neuro technology is in its early stages and at present we can detect simple emotions such as excitement or boredom and cognitive thoughts such as push and pull. The technology will of course improve, but even with these simple control methods we believe we can evolve a 3d object over a number of steps by detecting the user's emotional response to design changes. 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 which will then be created in ABS plastic with the latest in 3d printer technology.
Neuroscience
To be able to design and create interfaces of the mind, Thinkerthing have been working alongside neuroscientists to understand the workings of the Brain, Electroencephalography (EEG) and biofeedback learning methodology. Our recent ground breaking experiment, to allow a human to control a cockroach leg with their mind, was featured on Discovery Channel.
The Salt Shaker, the device that made this possible, and the Spiker Recorder, software to record neural activity, made their debut at this year's Society for Neuroscience Convention.
Monster Dreamer
The Monster Dreamer will be the first in our Objects from Thought series, technology that will unlock the creativity in everyone. Children will be able to evolve a 3d model of a monster using their minds, which will then be printed out as a real object. If you would like to own the first Monster figurines produced by thought you can support us by clicking get involved.
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“Thinker Thing have a proven ability to develop innovative solutions to problems that were thought to be beyond the scope of the technology available.” Andy Wild VP Product Development SwiftKey
Thought Puppet
Albert Gubbins, victorian scientist, will star as our first Thought Puppet, a mind toy that allows you to control a 3d model with your thoughts. With your mind, you can change Alberts expressions, make him frown, smile, blink and wink, you can also pull and push Albert and make him disappear just by thinking. Albert will be available on the Emotive Mind Store January 2013.
Salt Shaker
The Salt Shaker is the first product in our Neuroscience Experiments series. 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. With this, children as young as 10 can identify waveforms that stimulate the cockroach leg allowing them to take control of it. The Salt Shaker is available through BackYard Brains, a company dedicated to bringing neuroscience to school children and hobbyists...
