NeuroSky, Inc. is a manufacturer of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies for consumer product applications, which was founded in 2004 in Silicon Valley, California. The company adapts electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) technology to fit a consumer market within a number of fields such as entertainment (toys and games), education, automotive, and health. NeuroSky technology allows for low-cost EEG-linked research and products by using inexpensive dry sensors; older EEGs require the application of a conductive gel between the sensors and the head. The systems also include built-in electrical "noise" reduction software/hardware, and utilize embedded (chip level) solutions for signal processing and output. Neurosky primarily works as an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, collaborating with industry partners, developers, and research institutions to deploy the technology into their own products and systems. When NeuroSky has released direct-to-consumer products, such as the MindSet and the MindWave, they are typically designed for maximum flexibility of use through third party and open-source content.
Company timeline 1999: The work behind NeuroSky technology began. 2004: NeuroSky inc. was incorporated in Silicon Valley. 2006: Received early first funding from angel investors. 2007: First round of Venture funding from San Francisco-based WR Hambrecht + Co., Japan-based Marubeni Corp. and Taiwan-based TUVC. So far, the company says it has received nearly $19 million in backing from investors. 2009: Mattel launches the Mindflex toy. 2009: Uncle Milton launches the Star Wars Force Trainer. 2009: NeuroSky launches the MindSet, research and developer multimedia headset and free SDK/developer tools. 2009: In NeuroSky's first two years it raised 6.8 million. 2010: The company has raised 11.8 million in its third round of venture funding. 2011: NeuroSky launches the MindWave, a headset catering directly to the consumer market. 2011: Neurowear demonstrates necomimi, a headband with motorized cat ears based on a MindWave headset.
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's white paper claims the ThinkGear technology has been tested at 96% as accurate as that within research grade EEGs. 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.
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