In the 1970’s, scientists began exploring possible relationships between the human brain and external mechanisms with the hope of one day developing a way for the brain to manipulate these devices, primarily for use by the disabled. Interestingly, the possibility of such a relationship had existed in pop culture for many years, although the purpose was usually more dystopian in nature. Think Marvel supervillain and mad scientist, Doctor Octopus. Created in the early sixties, Spiderman’s enemy created four sophisticated mechanical arms that are operated by a harnessed, brain computer interface (BCI). Although his arms were originally designed to enhance his research skills by conducting precise movements with great strength, through an unfortunate turn of events, they were, for a time, fused to his body (of course). Currently, Doc Ock’s arms are no longer permanently attached (of course), but he is able to control them at a distance with invasive BCI. But I digress…
BCIs, which are also interchangeably known as “direct neutral interfaces” or “brain machine interfaces,” developed quickly during the 1990’s. Initially, BCIs were exclusively non-invasive, but eventually progressed to brain implants. By 2008, a monkey was able to stimulate a robotic arm with his mind at the Pittsburgh University Medical Center, using invasive BCI. However, non-invasive BCI research has also continued. The electroencephalography (EEG) skullcap, which records neuron activity, has been utilized extensively, due to its (relative) low cost and ease of use.
The possibilities of BCI, however, have not been limited to options for the disabled. The gaming industry, the toy industry and the US military have embraced non-invasive BCI, particularly in the past couple of years. In 2008, the US Army extended a $4 million contract to UC Irving, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Maryland to produce “thought helmets” whereby troops could communicate with one another mentally (I'm not making this stuff up). Within gaming, Emotiv Systems’ EPOC, released in 2009, has been widely received. EPOC, also operating from electromagnetic sensors, is closer to a medical EEG machine, and can gauge twelve different types of movement, emotions, facial expressions and head rotation. On the market for $300, EPOC operates with Windows PC games. In April 2009, Neurosky released Star Wars: Force Trainer, the first BCI toy to enter the competitive mainstream. An inexpensive simplified EEG headset, the Force Trainer is accompanied by a ping pong ball in a clear plastic tube. With the use of the headset, the brain controls a small fan at the bottom of the tube, and through concentration, the user is able to keep the ping pong ball elevated by operating the fan. Later in 2009, Mattel released Mindflex, a similar product which was expanded by the implementation of an obstacle course for the ball, and won the 2009 People’s Play Award Toy of the Year. Lastly, the September 2009 Robo-One Robot Fighting Tournament in Japan revealed the latest in non-invasive BCI technology: A bi-pedal robot entirely operated by a BCI headset. The University of Electro-Communications team had developed a 1.5 second thought-to-action robot that was only four pounds in weight and operated by an astounding twelve electrode connection to the brain. (An EEG has nineteen.)
You see where I am going with all of this? We, in the puppetry community, need to be fully participating in, and benefitting from, the burgeoning non-invasive BCI developments. Consider the ease with which many puppets could have been operated, and how much more expressive they might have been with such developments. Consider also, the possibility of the application of non-invasive BCI to smaller, less intricate puppets. How much more dynamic would Rizzo be if it could be controlled by thought? This is not to say that we ought to relinquish our loyalty to the traditional aspects of our art. What has always been a unique quality of puppetry has been our ability to stand both at the forefront of technology and resolutely at the rear, protecting our legacy and traditions. In a world where puppet traditions are declining or being remanded as child’s play, non-invasive BCI is an area where we could shine as a grown-up, sophisticated vanguard.
BCIs, which are also interchangeably known as “direct neutral interfaces” or “brain machine interfaces,” developed quickly during the 1990’s. Initially, BCIs were exclusively non-invasive, but eventually progressed to brain implants. By 2008, a monkey was able to stimulate a robotic arm with his mind at the Pittsburgh University Medical Center, using invasive BCI. However, non-invasive BCI research has also continued. The electroencephalography (EEG) skullcap, which records neuron activity, has been utilized extensively, due to its (relative) low cost and ease of use.
The possibilities of BCI, however, have not been limited to options for the disabled. The gaming industry, the toy industry and the US military have embraced non-invasive BCI, particularly in the past couple of years. In 2008, the US Army extended a $4 million contract to UC Irving, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Maryland to produce “thought helmets” whereby troops could communicate with one another mentally (I'm not making this stuff up). Within gaming, Emotiv Systems’ EPOC, released in 2009, has been widely received. EPOC, also operating from electromagnetic sensors, is closer to a medical EEG machine, and can gauge twelve different types of movement, emotions, facial expressions and head rotation. On the market for $300, EPOC operates with Windows PC games. In April 2009, Neurosky released Star Wars: Force Trainer, the first BCI toy to enter the competitive mainstream. An inexpensive simplified EEG headset, the Force Trainer is accompanied by a ping pong ball in a clear plastic tube. With the use of the headset, the brain controls a small fan at the bottom of the tube, and through concentration, the user is able to keep the ping pong ball elevated by operating the fan. Later in 2009, Mattel released Mindflex, a similar product which was expanded by the implementation of an obstacle course for the ball, and won the 2009 People’s Play Award Toy of the Year. Lastly, the September 2009 Robo-One Robot Fighting Tournament in Japan revealed the latest in non-invasive BCI technology: A bi-pedal robot entirely operated by a BCI headset. The University of Electro-Communications team had developed a 1.5 second thought-to-action robot that was only four pounds in weight and operated by an astounding twelve electrode connection to the brain. (An EEG has nineteen.)
You see where I am going with all of this? We, in the puppetry community, need to be fully participating in, and benefitting from, the burgeoning non-invasive BCI developments. Consider the ease with which many puppets could have been operated, and how much more expressive they might have been with such developments. Consider also, the possibility of the application of non-invasive BCI to smaller, less intricate puppets. How much more dynamic would Rizzo be if it could be controlled by thought? This is not to say that we ought to relinquish our loyalty to the traditional aspects of our art. What has always been a unique quality of puppetry has been our ability to stand both at the forefront of technology and resolutely at the rear, protecting our legacy and traditions. In a world where puppet traditions are declining or being remanded as child’s play, non-invasive BCI is an area where we could shine as a grown-up, sophisticated vanguard.
No comments:
Post a Comment