A long overdue update
Newsletter; 26 May, 2014
20 December, 2016: This is an old piece of content as you can tell by the original date so some of it may be out of date. Feel free to get in touch to clarify anything!
Dmitry from Thought-Wired here. You are receiving the first edition of our email newsletter because I or one of the Thought-Wired team know you personally, and we feel that you may be interested in how we are doing.
In this and each Thought-Wired newsletter we will:
- update you on our progress and activities,
- share recent developments in brain-sensing and assistive technology industries and research,
- provide you with opportunities to become involved in the development of our products.
Thought-Wired uses brain power
It may have been a while since you have heard from Thought-Wired, so let me begin with a quick refresher. Thought-Wired is a consumer brain-sensing technology start-up with a strong social vision. We build, and help others design and build products and experiences which are driven with the power of thought, using brain-sensing devices and brain-computer interfaces.
NOUS: Brain-computer interfacing as a universal access method
In 2011 we set out to build an assistive solution for people with profound disabilities. Our solution, NOUS, uses the power of thought to interact with technologies, thus eliminating the need for physical control. We proved it was possible to control simple appliances through thought alone, using a low cost brain-computer interface device: watch our first proof of concept video. Following this success, we began design of NOUS, our communication and interaction system. Our philosophy embodies user-centred design, so we appreciated the valuable feedback gained from end-users about NOUS functionalities.
Recently, we trialled the prototype of NOUS at the MacLean Centre for students with special needs, at Mt Roskill Grammar School in Auckland. It proved to be a major milestone for us. Using two distinct thoughts, a person with a severe physical disability used NOUS to learn a touch-free method of communicating via a speech-generating device. This significant outcome was achieved after training for just six hours over four weeks. Find out more about this process and the results in our easy-to-read case study: http://case.thought-wired.com.
We are currently planning further trials involving people with a range of needs. If you are interested in taking part in our pilots, or would like a prototype demo,
> Get in touch with me by replying to this email or register using this form.
Enabling others to take advantage of brain-sensing technology
Working on the assistive application of brain-computer interfaces led us to recognise the wider potential of this technology. Combining our expertise in brain-sensing technology and the software engine powering NOUS, we now enable other companies, organisations and individuals to create new products and experiences in their respective industries. We do so by:
- educating our partners about consumer brain-sensing technology: from the basics, to the specifics of building applications based on a particular device;
- providing consulting services and hands-on assistance with implementation of projects involving brain-sensors and brain-computer interfaces;
- distributing appropriate brain-sensing hardware in New Zealand.
If you would like to explore this technology further or even have a potential project in mind, contact me direct or,
> Request more information about how Thought-Wired can help you.
Delivering brain-sensing devices for you
Thought-Wired is an official New Zealand distribution partner of NeuroSky Inc. and Emotiv Limited. These two companies are the pioneers of low-cost brain-sensing systems. We are very proud to use their technology in our work and to bring their products to you in New Zealand.
Cutting-edge devices available today
MindWave Mobile by NeuroSky — The most affordable research-grade single-channel wireless brain-computer interface headset. It safely measures and outputs the EEG power spectrums (e.g. alpha and beta waves), NeuroSky eSense meters (attention and meditation) and eye blinks. You can purchase MindWave Mobile with the Brainwave Starter Kit directly from us at Thought-Wired.
> Order your Neurosky headsets from us
EPOC by Emotiv — A high resolution, neuro-signal acquisition and processing wireless headset sporting 14 saline sensors offering optimal positioning for accurate spatial resolution, and a gyroscope sensor. EPOC encompasses three detection suits: facial expressions, emotional states, and configurable mental commands. This is the primary device that we use to develop and test NOUS for assistive applications.
Brain sensing headsets of tomorrow
The second generation of affordable brain-sensing devices are coming to market in 2014. We are excited about these new products which will deliver unique ergonomic design, user-friendliness and new functionality.
In the next edition of our newsletter we will cover the InteraXon Muse, which we are the first proud owners of in New Zealand, and Melon, which is expected to ship next month.
We will also include my impressions from the Neurogaming Conference and Expo 2014 that took place in San Francisco on 7th-8th May where all of these companies presented their revolutionary products.
Get involved
Participate in development of NOUS
We are actively developing NOUS, our communication and interaction solution for people with severe disabilities. We periodically run user trials with the latest versions of NOUS, and welcome feedback and suggestions for improvement.
> Get in touch with me by replying to this email or register using this form to participate
Get to know and work with brain-sensing technology
If you would like to explore brain-sensing technology, see a demo and try it for yourself or even have a potential project in mind, contact me direct or,
> Request more information about how Thought-Wired can help you
Join Thought-Wired
We are always on lookout for talent: software developers, visual or user experience designers, game designers and developers, marketing and communications specialists.
> Get in touch with me if you’d like to get involved
Spread the word
Finally, if you’ve made it this far and found it interesting, please tell your friend or a colleague about Thought-Wired and what we do. Feel free to choose between forwarding this email on, showing them our website or directing them to our Facebook or Twitter page — any one of those things will help us and the people we’re working with.
Thank you and until next time,
Dmitry and the Thought-Wired Team
Originally published at our MailChimp newsletter archive page.
