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Emotiv Launches Neurotechnology Development Platform

Opens API and development environment to enable widespread integration of brain computer interface technology into video games and beyond

Game Developers Conference, San Francisco, CA - February 20, 2008

Emotiv Systems, the pioneer in brain computer interface technology, today announced that it is opening its Application Programming Interface (API) and providing a range of development tools to enable developers to integrate neurotechnology into a wide range of applications. The initiative will spur the adoption of brain computer interface technology in video gaming and other industries, enabling consumers to experience an entirely new form of human-machine interaction.

The company has released two software development kits (SDKs) to support its Emotiv EPOC™ neuroheadset. The Emotiv SDKLite™ is a free, downloadable tool that provides developers with a complete development environment to take advantage of, and integrate seamlessly with, all the functionalities and features of the Emotiv EPOC. It includes EmoComposer™, a hardware emulator that allows developers without access to the neuroheadset to test their applications with all the headset capabilities in a simulated environment that represents the real-life behavior of the Emotiv EPOC.

Additionally, Emotiv has announced the commercial availability of its full SDK. The SDK has been upgraded significantly since it was first announced in March 2007 at last year’s GDC. The commercially available version of the kit now includes:
-    2 beta-version neuroheadsets
-    Software toolkit that exposes the APIs
-    Full access to detection libraries
-    Suite of development tools for effective creation and integration of applications with content

The Emotiv EPOC is the world’s first consumer neuroheadset. It detects and processes human conscious thoughts and expressions and non-conscious emotions. By integrating the Emotiv EPOC into their games or other applications, developers can dramatically enhance interactivity, gameplay and player enjoyment by, for example, enabling characters to respond to a player’s smile, laugh or frown; by adjusting the game dynamically in response to player emotions such as frustration or excitement; and enabling players to manipulate objects in a game or even make them disappear using the power of their thoughts.

The Emotiv SDK and SDKLite are available to developers of games as well as other applications.

Executive quote

“We’ve seen tremendous demand from the development community and have been impressed by the variety of potential applications of our neurotechnology,” said Nam Do, CEO of Emotiv Systems. “Our vision has always been to have developers of all sizes, from large publishing houses to independent studios, use our technology to offer their users an entirely new and more immersive experience. By providing widespread access to these development tools, we aim to make the introduction of brain computer interface technology into games and other applications seamless and cost-effective and ensure that a wide variety of content will be available when the headset is on the shelves.”

Pricing and availability

For more information about Emotiv’s development kits please visit: http://www.emotiv.com/1_0/1_3.htm.

About the company

About Emotiv Systems
Emotiv Systems is a pioneer in brain computer interface technology. Its mission is to create the ultimate interface for the next-generation of man-machine interaction. It does this by evolving the interaction between human beings and electronic devices beyond the limits of conscious interface. Emotiv creates technologies that allow machines to take both conscious and non-conscious inputs directly from your brain. These technologies include a hardware and software platform that is being licensed to application developers and other third parties worldwide. Emotiv is announcing the world’s first consumer neuroheadset, the Emotiv EPOCTM as part of a complete product offering for consumers.
 
Today, Emotiv is developing solutions specifically for the electronic games and entertainment industry. In the future, Emotiv’s technology has the potential to be applied to numerous industries, including interactive television, accessibility design, market research, medicine, and security.

Founded by four award-winning scientists and technology entrepreneurs, Emotiv is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and has offices in Sydney, Australia. Investors include Technology Venture Partners, Epicure Capital Partners and the Australian Federal Government. More information is available at www.emotiv.com.

Contact details

Sapana Shende
LEWIS PR for Emotiv
415 992 4400
emotiv@lewispr.com

Related links

http://www.emotiv.com


Technorati tags: Emotiv | Neurotechnology | headset | SDK | Brain Computer Interface | Video Games | Game Developer | GDC |

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