Q Is NeuroSky public? What's the ticker symbol?
A NeuroSky is a privately held venture investment-backed company.
Q How can I find out more about your products?
A Simply fill out our inquiries form and someone will get in touch with you with our product literature.
Q How can I receive detailed product specifications?
A Currently, you must be under NDA with NeuroSky in order to be granted an online password to access the product specification area.
Q Are your products available to purchase today?
A Yes, our MindKit SDK is currently being sold under a licensing plan.
Q How do I obtain a development license?
A You may view the licensing process here.
Q What are some end-markets for the ThinkGear technology?
A Our customers are supporting our efforts in devising the market and application roadmaps for this unique technology. Please see the markets and applications page on our website.
Q Can I receive some video materials?
A Most of our video materials we have are present on our website. Please contact us if this is not sufficient for your particular needs.
Q How does a neural headset work?
A The brain is comprised of many, many neurons. When transmitting information, small electric pulses are made. Over the last century of neuroscience discovery,the broad and specific regional readings of these pulses have been found to represent different categories of emotion and mental states. By reading these waves, known as EEG's, the brain's activity can be utilized by computers and other devices - a BCI (Brain-Computer Interface). At one time, reading this neurological activity would require an entire head of sensors - very expensive and time consuming to utilize. What NeuroSky's technology has done is taken something that was once limited to hospitals and laboratories and miniaturized it into something easy to wear and affordable, yet still accurate.
Q Can I buy a MindVisorâ„¢?
A Currently, NeuroSky only sells the MindVisor development headset to MindKit SDK licensees who require additional visors (the MindKit SDK license includes a single MindVisor) for their developer community, per the given site license. You can obtain a MindVisor price quote at the time you are receiving a license quote. The MindVisor's design features were optimized to best meet the performance requirements of a development environment.
Q Can I buy a MindSet&trade?
A NeuroSky only sells the MindSet headset in high volumes to its OEM customers. The MindSet is a commercial-grade, off-the-shelf headset. The company does not retail the MindSet to the general public. Our OEM customers build the applications that work with the MindSet, then either bundle the headset with their application or separately retail the headset under their particular brand.
Q What mental state translations do you currently have?
A The changes and movements of the EEG's have been turned into various proprietary NeuroSky algorithms. These "meters" can be directly utilized for device control, whether you are trying to control a game or a toy, or monitoring someone's response to various actions and inputs. The output of the mental state algorithms (presently Attention & Meditation) is a number between 0-100 representing the real-time level of the particular mental state being queried.
Q What is Attention and how do I control it?
A One method is trying to focus on a single point on a video display. Bead your eyes in on the point and drive your full attention towards pushing at that point.
Q What is Meditation and how do I control it?
A Instead of a beaded focus, try to take a step back and let go. Relax your muscles and let go of your concerns and worries. Take a breath outward and let your tension release from your body. Clear your mind of any distraction and thoughts.
Q Is there any overlap in Meditation and Attention?
A Yes, it is possible to have both at the same time, which can cause both meters to rise. This is possible because you can concentrate on something while you relax.
Q What other algorithms are in the works?
A There will be a variety of algorithms that will tap into voluntary and involuntary forms of control, such as refined forms of Anxiety as well as Drowsiness. The NeuroSky partner network is also devising unique algorithms under the NeuroSky development license to enhance their product capabilities.
Q Are the algorithms calculated in real-time?
A The lag is minimal, therefore it is considered as real-time.
Q Does this work on everybody?
A Yes, this has been tested in many situations. For example, we let over 500 people test this in the GDC (Game Developers Conference) while the algorithms were tested over a 1000 subjects in various locales, age groups, genders, etc.
Q How much is the technology?
A It is inexpensive, and the price aims for consumer electronics. It is inexpensive enough to be designed into a computer peripheral or automotive device. For further pricing details, please contact us.
Q How many sensors are required and how big are they?
A One of our strengths is our single-channel EEG sensor solution. The size of the sensor electrode is smaller than a human fingernail.
Q How accurate is the ThinkGear hardware?
A Our hardware has been benchmarked against a 120 channel, gel electrode, medical EEG sensor device. Although the ThinkGear does not meet the medical-grade accuracy of such an expensive and cumbersome device, it does meet most of our customers' requirements for their particular applications and markets.
Q Does the hardware pose any dangers?
A Absolutely not! The hardware does not pose any stimuli (electric, magnetic or chemical) to the brain and acts only as a receiver of the brainwave information. Hospital EEG equipment also uses AC power. If there is electrical leakage, it could pose certain risks to patients. NeuroSky's hardware is driven by low-voltage, DC (battery) power and, therefore, is quite safe.
Q Who is currently using the technology?
A Sega Toys (Japan) and Musinaut (France) went public with their partnership announcements with NeuroSky in December 2007. Of course, NeuroSky has many other existing partners preferring to remain anonymous for the time being.
Q What interface options are available in the ThinkGear-EM?
A We provide a very simple interface to the PC or any other platform with our embedded ThinkGear-EM module. We currently provide UART, USB and Bluetooth. (Please note that not all the module versions support the interfaces listed above, so for detailed descriptions, please refer to the specific hardware specifications).
Q Do you offer any discount programs?
A Yes, we currently offer Universities and other qualified institutions a 50% discount off of the standard license fees for the MindKit SDK. There is a separate Academic License Agreement that is required. Please refer to the "Buying Process" on our Technology page.
Q Do you participate in any partnership programs?
A Yes, we are always seeking win-win partnership programs with third parties. We have already developed partnerships under NRE fees, grant partnerships or no-cost collaborative relationships in high-opportunity cases.
Q Is this science fiction?
A No, of course not. This is the natural, developmental course for this technology.