New Technology (That’s Worth Checking Out!)

Recently I’ve just started playing around with two new toys. One is a device called the Emotiv Insight (which I backed as a Kickstarter) and the second is a cheap, mini computer called a Raspberry Pi.

The Emotiv Insight
This is a fancy smancy brain monitor device, that can also track head movements and has a lot of potential (but not a whole lot of application at the moment!) The Emotiv is a second generation device following the Epoch (which although it is more sensitive, having more points of contact with your brain, isn’t as portable or connectable than the newer model).  At the moment, my exploration with the Emotiv hasn’t gone much past using the iPhone app which allows you to get a baseline reading of your brain waves and map out what parts of your brain are being used the most doing specific activities (like writing and surfing the net). Given a bit of time and effort on my part though, by using a piece of open source software, it is possible to map thoughts like ‘move forward’ and ‘move backwards’ to allow you to control technology such as turning on lights or flying a drone. Exciting!

Emotiv Insight
Emotiv Insight

The Raspberry Pi 3b
Is, essentially a small, cheap, computer, with Bluetooth, wi-fi, 4 USB ports and 1gb of ram. It runs off an mini SD card (and is supported by Linux software that allows it to be customisable and the ‘brain’ of things like home automation projects. Retailing for about $60, I’ve been able to load Retro games on it, and am mucking around with a Home Media player called KODI at the moment. It’s the application of it for home automation (or trying to make my home as ‘smart’ as possible) that is my ultimate goal for my Raspberry Pi though! Fortunately I find this kind of thing fun, so ultimately, with a fair bit of mucking around, I will be able to control my lights, tv, air conditioning unit and maybe even my door locks, all from my phone!

Raspberry Pi 3b
Raspberry Pi 3b

… who knows, with the aid of my Emotiv Insight, I might even be able to do it all with just my mind! 🙂

 

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