Tech company takes spotlight at GDC 2015 with mind-controlled VR technology
VR and AR headsets today are some of the coolest things to become a reality (pun intended) in the past few years. But one tech company is set to blow everyone’s minds with a kind of approach to virtual and augmented reality that is unseen in any other VR gear. And soon enough, controlling games with your mind is going to be the norm.
MindMaze, a technology company based in Switzerland, has recently unveiled a potentially game-changing development in the VR world. During this year’s Game Developers Conference, MindMaze demonstrated the MindLeap, both a virtual and augmented reality system as well as a motion capture game system, that is based off of the company’s neurotechnology engine for medical applications. The MindLeap predicts neurological and physical activities in real time to deliver VR experiences to its user.
The company showed off its MindLeap tech through a physical device called NeuroGoggles, which is a VR and AR headset that is equipped with motion tracking sensors and cameras, and neural sensors which are essential in letting its user control the VR experience with the use of brain power. The NeuroGoggles promises to deliver a realistic experience by having an ultra-low latency – counting to single-digit-millisecond figures – providing the most realistic VR and AR experience possible.
Historically, the MindLeap engine is used in medical applications such as aiding people who suffered conditions like stroke to regain muscle control, as well as helping amputated patients in controlling artificial, robotic arms and legs. MindMaze is now taking the gaming and VR industries by storm by taking their medical technology into uncharted territory.
According to Dr. Tej Tadi, CEO and founder of MindMaze, the idea of putting together VR and AR technologies and neuroscience has never before seen in the gaming scene. He added that with the MindLeap technology, a controller-free and no-delay gameplay will be possible in a virtual gameplay environment. Also, developers will be able to leverage the power of the technology by creating much more immersive gaming experiences for a deeper level of consumer engagement.
MindMaze is going to make the MindLeap game engine technology available for developers as an SDK, and for the gaming consumers to be the NeuroGoggles. With the MindLeap SDK, developers are going to be able to create VR-optimized experiences for games on familiar platforms such as the Sony PlayStation and the Microsoft Xbox, as well as in mobile platforms like iOS and Android. No exact date has been given for the formal consumer launch of the VR headset and MindLeap itself, but the company sees it to be available later this year.
For more information on the MindLeap technology and the NeuroGoggles, please visit the following websites:
http://www.mindmaze.ch/vr
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/3/8136405/mind-maze-mind-leap-thought-reading-virtual-reality-headset
https://gigaom.com/2015/03/04/mindmazes-headset-brings-your-brainwaves-into-virtual-reality
