Muse

Muse
Category	Other Head-mounted Devices
Developer	InteraXon Inc.
Announced	December 2012
Released	Developers: Consumers:
Price	249 USD (June 2016)
Operating system	none (pairs with Android and iOS)
Sensors	EEG
Weight	g (unspecified)
Controls	smartphone
Data available	Limited
Risk factor	Good
Not Standalone
http://www.choosemuse.com

Muse is a wearable headband that helps user with their meditation practice. The device measures and analyses brain signals of the user. Based on the data, it can inform the use whether their meditation session is effective and how much. To see this analysis, the user is required to install a provided mobile app. In addition to the brain wave analysis, the mobile app also offers coaching advice to users starting with midfullness meditation as well as a selection of relaxation audio.

Main characteristics

The device is in a form of a wireless, head-mounted headband. The headband is supported on ears and wraps around the user's forehead. The headband features 7 EEG sensors, 5 sensors on the forehead and 2 behind the ears. To use the device, the user pairs the headband with their smartphone or tablet, puts the device on their head, and waits for it to finish calibration. After the device is calibrated, the user then can start their meditation session. During the session, the device acoustically informs the user on how calm they are. After the meditation, the device displays the overall analysis of the user's brain activity. The user can compare it with previous sessions and see whether they are improving in their meditation.

The developer anonymously stores users' brainwave data on their servers. Users can also participate in the "Muse Research Program" to help improve InterAxon's future products.

Important Dates

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/muse-the-brain-sensing-headband#/

Ethical & Health Issues

http://www.choosemuse.com/legal (storage of the biometric data)

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

(2012) http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/tech/ariel-garten-muse-interaxon/

http://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/muse-brain-sensing-headband-review-938

http://www.recode.net/2014/11/6/11632624/muse-headband-review-a-fitbit-for-your-brain

http://www.gizmag.com/interaxon-muse-eeg-brain-sensing-headband/36497/

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/most-innovative-companies/interaxon/

http://www.choosemuse.com/blog/denver-public-schools-incorporates-muse-into-curriculum/

http://www.cultofmac.com/261581/muse-ces-2014/

http://www.choosemuse.com/what-are-people-saying/

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

http://www.healthnews.com/en/news/How-Stress-Affects-Academic-Performance/2wJiMoIl1ErOCym8JC9lWD/

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/JACH.56.5.569-578?redirect=1&journalCode=vach20

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3846392/