Ever wished you could control things with your mind?
That ability could be a lot closer than you think after Canadian company InteraXon developed a brainwave-sensing device called Muse.
The sleek, silver headband allows the wearer to control applications, games and devices, reduce stress levels, improve memory and concentration with their mind.
"Your technology will know what's on your mind and it will respond and that may seem like science fiction now, but we're making that a reality," InteraXon CEO Ariel Garten said.
Muse works by measuring your brainwaves, which it transmits to a smart phone or tablet, translating the brainwaves into instructions to interact with content on your device.
InteraXon says there are different brain wave patterns for every state − awake, asleep, concentrating or relaxed.
There are two sensors on the forehead and one behind each ear that pick up the electrical outputs generated by the brain's activity, relaying any changes to your device, much like a heart rate monitor.
InteraXon says it wants to translate these brainwaves into actions.
You might not be sending furniture flying like Professor-X, but you will be able to control the actions of electronic devices such as making the television switch off.
InteraXon founder InteraXon Trevor Coleman said Muse will also be a brain-training device with an app included containing exercises to improve attention skills, memory, reduce anxiety, maintain motivation and build a positive attitude.
"When your mind is concentrated and focused on a single thing, we can detect that and when your mind wanders we can detect that too," Coleman said.
"So what we'll do is give you feedback that will help you notice that your mind is wandering so that you can develop the skill of bringing it back."
Developers hope Muse also has capabilities for keeping drivers awake on long drives and controlling the environment in their homes by automatically adjusting temperature and lighting.
The capabilities sound almost too good to be true InteraXon have already had results in the past when they created an installation for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics that allowed people to control the lights on Niagra Falls and the Canadian Parliament buildings from more than 3000 kilometres away with brain power alone.
Even more impressive was their levitating chair, which rose into the air on the power of brainwaves.
Muse is currently a prototype and the company is fundraising using social campaign platform Indiegogo to fun their first $150,000 production run, which they would sell at $199 each.
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