'Mind Control' TV Prototype Developed By BBC

The BBC, in partnership with UK-based user experience studio 'This Place', has created a 'Mind Control TV' prototype. For the project, the team used a low-cost, brainwave reading headset.

It works with an experimental version of the BBC's iPlayer on-demand platform, allowing users to turn on the app and select a programme to view – using nothing but their brainwaves.

In the first trial run, 10 BBC staff members tried the app and each was able to launch BBC iPlayer and start viewing a programme simply by using their minds. It was easier for some than others, but all did manage to get it to work. Cyrus Saihan, Head of Business Development, BBC Digital, added that those who also tried it in the BBC technology Blue Room since have also managed to get it to work.

Mr Saihan said that while 'mind control' is a popular subject when it comes to fiction, the idea does have a "unique appeal" and could open up "a whole world of possibilities."

While Saihan admits that it is very early days in relation to the technology, the project's Research and Development team did carry out studies into accessibility and new user interfaces, focusing on how it could possibly help users with with a broad range of disabilities who cannot easily use traditional television remote controls or other conventional interfaces.

This work has ranged from encouraging the development of industry standards that make the creation of more accessible user interfaces more likely, to work on specific prototype projects such as single button interfaces and head-mouse controllers.

The technology behind the experiment involves a electroencephalography (EEG) brainwave reading headset. It has a small sensor that rests on a user's forehead and another on a clip that attaches to the ear. These measure electrical activity in the brain.

In the case of this experimental app, a user can select either 'concentration' or 'meditation' as the brain control mechanism. If the user selects 'concentration', the headset and app monitors their level of concentration and a 'volume bar' of brainwaves is displayed on the screen, to visually illustrate their level of concentration.

Once a certain threshold of concentration has been reached, a message is sent to the tablet to perform an action – in this case, to initially launch BBC iPlayer. Once a user launches BBC iPlayer, they are presented with five of the most popular programmes on at that point in time. Each of these programmes is then highlighted, one at a time, changing programmes every 10 seconds. When the programme a user wants to watch is highlighted, they have 10 seconds to concentrate and open that programme so that it starts playing.

A video of the experiment in action can be viewed via the BBC Internet blog here.

Image: The experimental interface in action. Courtesy of BBC.

(JP/MH)