New Emerging Tech Heralds An Era of Wearable Computing 

My thoughts between Google Glass and the latest piece of NeuroTech by Keio University, showcased at Human Sensing 2013. 

TOKYO , Japan— Dare I ask, is Google is the new Apple? Since recently, Google appears to have replaced the company as the hot new thing that everybody is talking about. From Chrome to Android, Google’s recent growth within several markets has been one that daringly screams ‘innovation’. Which of course, comes to the delight of its investors (reflected in GOOG stock price). But it’s a different story for Apple, as its investors weren't as kind.

During the beginning of the ‘post-Jobs’ era, Apple seemed to be more concerned with various patent litigations, and safe bet increments of pre-existing products. As such, several burning questions had been dented on Apple’s otherwise ‘innovative’ reputation. Where was the iWatch? Where was the iTV? And most importantly; what happened to “thermonuclear war”? It seemed clear that patience for the next ‘wow’ product was growing thin.

But for both companies, it is indeed the ‘wow’ products that determine who comes out on top to win the throne. And I'm certain that the next generation of game changing products will involve wearable technology. I say this because of one killer product. The same product that has garnered growing attention among the media and public around the world.

It is, of course, Google Glass.

“The unprecedented hype for Google Glass is one that is reminiscent of the first iPhone launch in 2007"

Distributed to a mere handful of developers in the US, Google Glass touts itself as a ‘beautiful’ and ‘empowering’ device that ‘get’s technology out of the way’ by incorporating voice gestures on a heads-up display for your face. So to allude back to Google being ‘the new Apple’, many have suggested that the unprecedented hype for Google Glass is one that is reminiscent of the first iPhone launch in 2007.

However, the public have yet to get their hands on the much sought after product. In fact, we don't have a firm release date for it (though it should be sometime in 2014). But for those who simply cannot wait, another product may take their fancy.Introducing the weird but wonderful gadget from Japan, NeuroCam.

Now if you're like me, and are a bit iffy about a Google product recording everything it detects, then NeuroCam may appeal towards your tastes. Though bear in mind, you may end up looking a bit silly to the mortals who are struggling to comprehend why you've strapped an iPhone to your head. But fear not. The features alone are enough to turn an awkward social moment into a rather fun conversation piece.

NeuroCam works by detecting fluctuations in neural activity by reading EEG waves in your scalp. From this, it associates various electrical signatures as ‘interests’ by quantifying the interests on a scale of 0-100. Readings that exceed ‘60' will trigger the camera to capture the scene, producing a 5-second animated GIF.And afterwards, the user can view the video/images in the camera roll album, providing a unique perspective into your subconscious behaviour.

“The iPhone shows what the camera has captured. So it feels as if it’s reading my mind”

For example, if you peer over a photo of a cat on a computer screen (as pictured above), NeuroCam will automatically capture a picture/video without ever muttering “OK, Google”. In short, NeuroCam reads your brainwaves and records what interests you.

“Right now, the iPhone’s camera is ready to record what’s in my line of sight through a prism”, says Kana Nakano (Planner, Dentsu ScienceJam). Of course, the essence of any head-mounted camera is to see the user’s point of view. But for NeuroCam, users are essentially given a window to their thoughts. “The iPhone shows what the camera has captured. So it feels as if it’s reading my mind”, Nakano adds.

Undeniably Japanese by design, NeuroCam is certainly not a poor-man’s Google Glass. But despite being externally eye-pleasing, internally, it is built rather inexpensively with EEG sensors similar to that of Necomimi, the brainwave-powered cat ears.

It’s also worth mentioning that the NeuroCam model demonstrated at Human Sensing 2013 was indeed a prototype. Very much like Google Glass, which is currently in beta. Nevertheless in the future, NeuroWear hopes to develop the project into an ‘emotional interface’, which could theoretically link a wide family of devices to the user’s individual thoughts and feelings.

On its website, the team behind the project, NeuroWear, gives a brief rundown:

“The “neurocam” allows humans emotions to become integrated with devices, and we see this as a totally new experience. We believe that in the future, home electronics, facilities, services will seamlessly merge “thought” and “emotions” with the human body as an emotional interface, such as what the “neurocam” sets out to achieve.”

One big deciding factor to the success of NeuroCam may lie within the realms of privacy and security. Without a doubt, such concerns will have to be addressed as we progress into a future of digital paranoia. On top of this, there’s also societal norms of wearing technology. How will common etiquette view a head mounted camera? Will exam boards, cinemas, and art galleries enforce regulations with the user of such devices? And such questions are yet to be answered. Nevertheless, I am tremendously excited to be part of this exciting era that’s full of promise and wonder; the era of wearable computing. So let the revolution begin!