NeuroSky

1999: The work behind NeuroSky technology began. 2004: NeuroSky inc. was incorporated in Silicon Valley. 2006: Received early first funding from angel investors. 2009: In NeuroSky's first two years it raised 6.8 million. == Technical background ==

The human brain is made up of billions of interconnected neurons; the patterns of interaction between these neurons are represented as thoughts and emotional states. Every interaction between neurons creates a minuscule electrical discharge; alone these charges are impossible to measure from outside the skull. However, the activity created by hundreds of thousands concurrent discharges aggregates into waves which can be measured. Different brain states are the result of different patterns of neural interaction. These patterns lead to waves characterized by different amplitudes and frequencies; for example waves between 12 and 30 hertz, Beta Waves, are associated with concentration while waves between 8 and 12 hertz, Alpha Waves, are associated with relaxation and a state of mental calm. The contraction of muscles is also associated with unique wave patterns, isolating these patterns is how some NeuroSky devices detect blinks. All electrical activity produces these waves, including light bulbs, thus all electrical devices create some level of ambient "noise"; this "noise" interferes with the waves emanating from the brain, this is why most EEG devices will pick up readings even if they are not on a person's head. Measuring mental activity through these waves is like trying to eavesdrop on a conversation at a loud concert. In the past, EEG devices circumvented this problem by measuring these signals in environments where electrical activity is strictly controlled and increasing the signal strength of the data coming from the brain through the application of a conductive solution. However, most people don't have rooms in their house devoid of electronic devices nor do they want to apply a conductive liquid to their head every time they use a BCI device. NeuroSky has developed complex algorithms built into their products which filter out this "noise". NeuroSky is also selling non-contact sensors to research institutions. These are dry electrodes that can measure brainwaves millimeters from the scalp and thus can easily be worn over hair. These sensors are a significant technological breakthrough in that they are the only non-contact EEG sensors ever developed. == Neurosky partnerships ==

While NeuroSky produces its own direct to consumer products, it is primarily a chip developer and manufacturer. This finding allowed coaches like Kisik Lee, Guy Krueger, and Mel Nichols to train mid-level archers to reach that mind state (of being able to concentrate on what they need to do while staying relaxed). NeuroSky has hinted on numerous occasions that it is either producing or interested in producing publicly available products that allow one to train in a similar way for other sports, with golf mentioned specifically. Toshiba: Square Enix: In 2008 it announced that it was working on Judecca, a game with NeuroSky. InteraXon: InteraXon develops custom software to be used with Neurosky's hardware specializing in large publicity events like the Olympic light show. The first of these toys was the Star Wars Force Trainer released during the Christmas season of 2009. On 04/28/2009 Mattel Inc. formed an exclusive multi-year partnership with NeuroSky Inc. The first product, the Mindflex, was released for the 2009 Christmas season. Talks began in early 2007 and an official announcement was made on 10/10/2008. Musinaut: Musinaut is a Paris-based music company that plans to use the device to create interactive music technology that controls a user's music based on their thoughts and moods. Mind Games: MindGames is an Iceland-based developer of games that utilize EEG technology. == NeuroSky products ==

MindWave: The MindWave is a NeuroSky product released in 2010 in China and 2011 in the US and the EU. It costs $99 US making it one of the least expensive EEG device to ever be produced. The MindWave has been marketed as both an education and entertainment device. The MindWave won the Guinness Book of World Records award for "Heaviest machine moved using a brain control interface". Research Products: Neurosky has produced a number of research products (generally very similar to their direct to consumer products and came with a small Bluetooth dongle. The first non-prototype models were sold for $199. Non-Contact Sensors: NeuroSky is currently selling a Non-Contact system to research institutions. This system is based on seven dry electrodes that can measure brainwaves millimeters from the scalp and thus can easily be worn over hair. NeuroSky has not released any consumer products using these sensors nor has it announced that it is intending to. Pre MindKit: In early press releases at least four different pre-MindKit devices can be seen, none of these were sold to the public and none of the articles mention names for the models. ==Products produced in conjunction with NeuroSky using NeuroSky technology==

Mindflex: The MindFlex was produced in conjunction with Mattel and released for the 2009 Christmas season. It is a game in which players lift a ball by concentrating and move it through a maze. The concentration levels are measured by a headset using NeuroSky technology which wirelessly interfaces with a platform that floats the ball through the use of a fan which was moved around the course in a circle by a dial; (this platform was based on a previous Mattel toy, the "Harry Potter Sorcerer's Stone Electronic Levitating Challenge Board Game").The MindFlex allowed the player to modify the course by sticking plastic obstacles in peg holes at different locations and was preprogrammed with 5 games as well as multiplayer options. MindRDR: MindRDR is a Google Glass application created by This Place that connects a Neurosky MindWave sensor to Google Glass to allow concentration and relaxation outputs from the biosensor to take and share photos on Twitter and Facebook without physical or verbal interaction. MindRDR was released in July 2014. ==See also==