Mind games: App allows user thoughts to control Google Glass

Google Glass wearers can now control their device with their minds and feelings, thanks to a new app.

MindRDR is a free open source app that connects the NeuroSky EEG biosensor — which measures brainwaves to translate brain activity into action — with Google Glass.

The NeuroSky EEG (electroencephalography) biosensor is a single chip that can sense signals from the human brain, filter out extraneous noise and electrical interference, and convert those signals to digital power.

The chip is currently built into NeuroSky’s MindWave headsets, which are intended to be used in games, applications, toys, and research.

With the app, you can take a picture and send it to Facebook, just by concentrating or relaxing. In its current form, that is all you can do but developers want to add more functionality. One example might be that you could start typing with your mind. After you install the app, MindRDR can be opened by Glass if you say: “Ok Google, mind reader.”

Users need to pair the EEG sensor via Bluetooth with their Glass. They will see a scale on the left and right sides of the screen and a horizontal line that moves up and down depending on how hard they are concentrating. The harder you’re thinking, the higher the line goes. That means, if you’re fully relaxed the app will take a photo. Concentrate hard and you can submit the last photo to Facebook.

MindRDR says it intends to use more advanced sensors that can read a fuller spectrum of brainwaves to expand the app’s functionality by detecting different signals such as attention, meditation and even eye blinks.