OpenBCI Lets You Produce Your Own EEG Brainscanner

With a little help from some DARPA funding, Conor Russomanno and Joel Murphy have created an open-source brain scanner that you can print in the comfort of your own home. You then have the technology to be able to hook up to your own brainwaves.

The device has been named OpenBCI and includes sensors and a mini-computer which plugs in to sensors on the “Spider Claw 3000”, a plastic device which fits on to your skull. All together this gives you a low-cost EEG brainwave scanner that you can hook up to your PC.

Normally EEG machines are something you would associate with a laboratory and cost thousands of dollars, yet times are changing and we are seeing the arrival of DIY brain hackers, who are experimenting with brainwaves at home to see how they can be used in connection with gaming, computer interfaces and self-directed mind enhancement.

The duo behind OpenBCI wanted to make it a truly open-source platform and so you can download the software from GitHub. The hardware can be purchased from OpenBCI, then after downloading you can print your very own 3D headset.

Russomanno explains that the EEG probes can be placed anywhere on the scalp. “You don’t want to limit yourself to looking to just a few places on the scalp,” he says. “You can target up to 64 locations on the scalp with a maximum of 16 electrodes at a time.”

Russomanno and Murphy launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to raise the funds to produce the mini-computer that plugs in to the headset. Last week the target was reached and they hope to start shipping in March.

“We’ve got about 300 people that have already donated to receive the board,” says Russomanno. “If you’re willing to spend $300 for a piece of technology, you’re definitely going to build something with it.”

[Image via OpenBCI]

SOURCE: http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2014/01/openbci/