Mind control attracts attention in wearable health tech. If human brains can be controlled by the person’s own thought or by external devices, the potential for overcoming debilitation or sensory conditions opens vast new health frontiers. We’ve looked at spinal and brain implants to regain mobility such as Aubot‘s Teleport telepresence robot and work at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). We’ve also written about observing robots to regain motor control and Cambridge Cognition and CTRL Group’s Cognition Kit.
Brainno Science Technology‘s Brainno is currently in an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign that has exceeded its original flexible goal. Brainno is an ear wearable that measures brainwaves and heart rate, display both types of data on a mobile device app. Brainno’s point and promise are that users can optimize their fitness and brain health with accurate brainwave and heart rate measurements. Brainno can work in both directions. The device can passively provide biometric data based on current activities so users can observe the effects. Users can also train their brains with included brain games and with meditation. Brainno has three brainwave sensors and one heart rate sensor and included algorithms provide electroencephalogram amplification. Brainno weighs 30 grams and has a charged battery life of 5 hours active use.
The potential benefits of brain training or mind control include improved ability to relax and better concentration and focus when needed. Meditation promises the same benefits by itself, but many find meditation challenging. The advantage of devices such as Brainno is that objective data (brain activity and pulse rate) can be used to inform users and as training aids to help users achieve their desired states.
