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Chile-based startup ThinkerThing has invented technology that can 'read' a person's thoughts via neurosensory tech. This will allow the person to create "a physical manifestation of their imagination," when their 'thought-up creations' are sent to a 3D printer.
Crucially, this invention—which is still in the prototype stage—might just revolutionize the design process as we know it today, by offering designers a chance to skip the need to visualize on computer or paper, if they desired.
The ThinkerThing prototype utilizes an 'EmotivEPOC headset' that is able to 'read' the user's brainwaves. It can also detect emotion, facial expression and is able to translate a person's conscious thoughts.
While wearing the headset, users are presented a set of design elements on a screen in front of them. As they react to what they are seeing, they can "guide the software to add or discard elements until the object resembles what they had in mind." Once satisfied with the creation on-screen, the wearer removes the headset and the image is sent to the 3D printer.
Currently, ThinkerThing has created is its first 'thought-up object'—a toy monster—which was imagined and printed out by founder George Laskowsky himself. Generally, the ThinkerThing startup will be focusing on the youthful thoughts of Chile's young children, encouraging them to believe that they can make "fantastical creatures of the mind," a reality.
If this invention reaches further advancement, would it really serve to make the design process more accurate? Or are 'mind-reading' techniques such as these, not quite the way you think the design process should head towards?
You can learn more about the technology in the video below:
[via Springwise.com, images via ThinkerThing]
Chile-based startup ThinkerThing has invented technology that can 'read' a person's thoughts via neurosensory tech. This will allow the person to create "a physical manifestation of their imagination," when their 'thought-up creations' are sent to a 3D printer.
Crucially, this invention—which is still in the prototype stage—might just revolutionize the design process as we know it today, by offering designers a chance to skip the need to visualize on computer or paper, if they desired.
The ThinkerThing prototype utilizes an 'EmotivEPOC headset' that is able to 'read' the user's brainwaves. It can also detect emotion, facial expression and is able to translate a person's conscious thoughts.
While wearing the headset, users are presented a set of design elements on a screen in front of them. As they react to what they are seeing, they can "guide the software to add or discard elements until the object resembles what they had in mind." Once satisfied with the creation on-screen, the wearer removes the headset and the image is sent to the 3D printer.
Currently, ThinkerThing has created is its first 'thought-up object'—a toy monster—which was imagined and printed out by founder George Laskowsky himself. Generally, the ThinkerThing startup will be focusing on the youthful thoughts of Chile's young children, encouraging them to believe that they can make "fantastical creatures of the mind," a reality.
If this invention reaches further advancement, would it really serve to make the design process more accurate? Or are 'mind-reading' techniques such as these, not quite the way you think the design process should head towards?
You can learn more about the technology in the video below:
[via Springwise.com, images via ThinkerThing]