Orbit Uses EEG Headset To Transmit To The Aircraft

An RC helicopter that is controlled by an operator wearing an EEG headset is making some waves on the Internet this holiday shopping season, though it may not make it to market in time to wind up under some Christmas trees.

The Orbit HAS gained some traction on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, where it has received twice its stated fundraising goal in pledges.

To control the globe-shaped aircraft, the "pilot" wears a special electroencephalography (EEG) headset that converts brain waves to commands. As the operator concentrates, the aircraft will climb. As he or she mentally relaxes, it descends. CNN reports that currently, up and down are the only commands that the aircraft recognizes.

So while your kids won't be able to chase the cat around the house using only their brains with the Orbit any time soon, Puzzlebox, the company behind the Orbit, plans to have the aircraft in mass production by the end of November. The headset will connect with a tablet or smartphone device via Bluetooth, which will then communicate with the sensors on board the aircraft.

(Image from Puzzlebox YouTube Video)

FMI: http://brainstorms.puzzlebox.info/