[Noisebridge-discuss] brain-controlled robotics project

[Neil Kandalgaonkar]

I have nothing to add, but this is my new benchmark for "living in the 
future". Neuroscience for tots via mind-controlled robots.

On 11/11/10 5:14 AM, Steve Castellotti wrote:
> Hey all--
>
>       I just wanted to send a quick word of introduction to the group.
>
>       My name is Steve. I swung over this past Tuesday evening along with
> the Make:SF crew, and hung around the next several hours meeting a fair
> few of you.
>
>
>       I've been managing an Open Source project for the past year which
> is geared towards teaching kids (ages 10+ or so) a little bit of
> neuroscience, helping them build robots out of LEGO Mindstorms, then
> control and race them with their brains using consumer-grade EEG headsets.
>
>
>       Here is a brief demonstration video:
>
> http://brainstorms.puzzlebox.info/index.php?entry=entry100923-100000
>
>
>       And here is the project website:
>
> http://brainstorms.puzzlebox.info
>
>
>
>       The current version of the software measures attention and
> relaxation levels using a NeuroSky MindSet, translating those into
> acceleration levels sent to the robots. Basic support for the Emotiv
> EPOC is also available, although for classroom use I've been leaning
> towards the former as it has dry sensors (where kids are concerned, wet
> + heads = bad) and is easy to put on and start using without much
> fiddling about.
>
>       There's a variety of paradigms for controlling the robots and
> several new types of "games" planned on the roadmap, but for the moment
> the software is working and in active use in at least one classroom on
> the East coast (Incidentally I am looking for more local schools which
> might be interested to get involved). The focus is now on building up
> case studies and fleshing out the teaching materials to better integrate
> into existing curriculum.
>
>
>       Last night I brought round the remote control for a small RC
> helicopter, and with a great deal of help from Milo, Anthony, John, and
> a few others we managed to almost completely reverse-engineer the
> circuit board and transmitter's communications protocol. I'd like to
> extend a huge thanks to those guys for sticking around past 2 AM to help
> bang it all out!
>
>
>       I'm planning to bring in my gear on Monday for the electronics
> hacking session. I'll have the NeuroSky and Emotiv headsets, my LEGO
> kit, and the RC helicopter (assuming I can managed to transport it all)
> and would be happy to show anyone interested how it all hangs together.
> With any luck I will already be on my way to getting the RC helicopter
> to fly via the software. The intention is to pick up a second helicopter
> and be able to have races in which two people compete to achieve and
> maintain high enough levels of focus to keep the helicopters in the air
> and be first to cross the finish line.
>
>
>       Thanks again for everyone's help and looking forward to catching up
> with folks come Monday.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Steve
>
>
>

-- 
Neil Kandalgaonkar   ) <neilk at brevity.org>