Neurocam

From HCE Wiki - The Human Cognitive Enhancement Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Neurocam
Neuroware.jpg
Category Other head-mounted
Developer Neurowear, Yasue Mitsukura [1]
Announced October 2013 [2] [3]
Released Developers:
Consumers: "" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.
Price
Operating system IOS [4]
Sensors Brain Waves Senzor, Bio-Senzor [5]
Weight
Not standalone. Compatible only with smartphone (IPhone) [6]
http://www.neurowear.com/

The Neurocam is a wearable camera system which was developed by Neurowear, the Japanese company. The prototype of Neurocam was demoed on conference in Yokohama. The main purpose of the Neurocam is records and conserves such user´s experiences, which the system evaluates as important for user. The recording and conserving of experiences means, that system takes a pictures through iPhone, which is connected with the Neurocam (Neurocam is compatible only with iPhone and without iPhone cannot works). The evaluation of experiences works based on an analysis of the user´s brainwaves. To sum up: the Neurocam is able to detects human emotions. [7]

Main characteristics

The Neurocam is a head-mounted device which is able to detect electrical impulses of the brain. These operations works based on EEG. Neurocam is being developed by Neurowear, the Japanese company that is engaged by development wearable technology.

The hardware is a combination of Neurosky´s Mindwave Mobile and a new customized brainwave sensor with BMD chip. Neurocam capture brainwave through this hardware and after that represent this data by iPhone. The Neurocam iPhone app assigns the EEG data value from 0 to 100. When the data hits 60, the camera automatically records five second long GIF clips of these scenes. The scene is mark with timestamp and location and then is saved. Scenes can also be taken manually under the „manual mode“. GIF clip can be shared on social website, mainly on Facebook. [8]

Project Neurocam was introduced on Human sensing 2013 conference in Yokohoma (Japan) by Neurowear.[9] Previous project of Neurowear is called "Necomimi" and works similar way. Necomimi is a headband with a MindWave brain wave sensor and similar to Neurocam, Necomimi uses EEG readings to detect the headband-wearer's focus levels. [10]

Purpose

Main purpose of Neurocam is recording of user´s experiences through annexed iPhone which takes five second long GIF clips. Then the GIF clip can be shared on social websites.

Neurocam is system that is able to monitor humans emotions and allows them to become integrated with devices. This the way how it is possible enhancement human cognition.

Company & People

The Neurowear is a project team based in Tokyo, focused on creating comminication for the near future. The Neurowear designs prototypes of new products and services (especially on the field of wearable technology) based on biological singnals such as brain waves, heartbeat etc. Some of Neurowear´s prototypes (Necomimi) became successful among commercial products.[11]

  • Yasue Mitsukura
  • - Professor of Keio University (Tokyo)[12]
  • The Neurowear
  • - company focused on development of creating wearable technology (Tokyo)[13]

Important Dates

  • April 2012
  • Necomimi was demoed an Gadget Show; Necomimi was launched in Japan [14]
  • May 2012
  • Necomimi was launched in the U.S. [15]
  • October 2013
  • Neurocam was introduced on Human sensing in Japan [16] [17]

Ethical Issues

Neurocam can give direct access into our area of interests (by using of tags) to marketers. This data can be misused, for example in creation of shopping patterns or placing advertisements. This advertisements can have a greater manipulative effect on our psyche and it could also permit companies to fine-tune their products and services to better suit our interests. [18]

Health Risks

There has not been ascertained any healthy risk about the Neurocam. Discussions are focused only on reality, if it is safe to wear phone on the head for long time.

Health concerns of mobile phone´s overuse may be caused by fear of radiofrequency radiation. Mobile phones communicate with base stations using radiofrequency radiation.There are concerns that the low levels of RF radiation emitted by mobile phones could cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumours. Intensive international research has found no conclusive or convincing evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term. However, in May 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified RF radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic for humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a type of brain cancer’. Research is ongoing. However, the current international consensus is that mobile phones don’t cause cancer or promote the accelerated growth of existing tumours.[19]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Function of Neurocam is not to provide medical aid. Primary function of Neurocam is detects electrical impulses of the brain and records actual user´s experiences. It can help to user provide better images about his feelings.

Besides possibility to enhancement human cognition, Neurocam may have important influence in many other disciplines (for example in ethical question about development of artificial intelligence and for marketing and advertisement, as stated above).

Necomimi

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

The introduction of Neurocam on Human Sensing 2013 caught the attention mainly between fans of new technologies. However, according to found information the Neurocam is still not available at present. It is therefore not possible to assess the impact the Neurocam on the public. Currently Neurocam is presented especially on official websites of the Neurowear.

Public Policy

There is no legislation governing the use of Neurocam at the moment.

Related Technologies, Project or Scientific Research

The previous project of Neurowear was Necomimi. Necomimi is headband with motorized cat shaped ears programmed to typified user´s moods. Necomimi works on a similar basis. Neurons firing in the brain give off electrical impulses, which are read by the forehead sensor. The Necomimi headset captures user´s brainwaves with NeuroSky´s Attention and Meditation algorithms. The mental state of wearer is translated into ear movements. [20]

References

  1. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  2. Neurocam - The Next Level Google Glass [online] (Retrieved November 19 2015). Available from: http://gadgtechworld.blogspot.in/2015/02/neurocam-next-level-google-glass.html
  3. HUMAN SENSing 2013 [online] (Retrieved November 19 2015). Available from: http://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tm/2013/common/docs/tam2013_english.pdf
  4. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  5. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  6. Shows if the device is a standalone wearable computer or if it needs to be connected to a processing unit to function.
  7. Neurocam - The Next Level Google Glass [online] (Retrieved December 7 2015). Available from: http://gadgtechworld.blogspot.in/2015/02/neurocam-next-level-google-glass.html
  8. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  9. Neurocam - The Next Level Google Glass [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://gadgtechworld.blogspot.in/2015/02/neurocam-next-level-google-glass.html
  10. Necomimi [online] (Retrieved Ocbtober 19 2015). Available from: http://www.necomimi.com/
  11. Neurowear/FAQ [online] (Retrieved December 15 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/faq/
  12. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  13. Projects / Neurocam [online] (Retrieved October 19 2015). Available from: http://neurowear.com/projects_detail/neurocam.html
  14. Gadget Show Live set to be bigger than ever at NEC [online] (Retrieved December 7 2015). Available from: http://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2012/02/21/gadget-show-live-set-to-be-bigger-than-ever-at-nec/
  15. Neurowear [online] (Retrieved December 7 2015). Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurowear
  16. Neurocam - The Next Level Google Glass [online] (Retrieved November 19 2015). Available from: http://gadgtechworld.blogspot.in/2015/02/neurocam-next-level-google-glass.html
  17. HUMAN SENSing 2013 [online] (Retrieved November 19 2015). Available from: http://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tm/2013/common/docs/tam2013_english.pdf
  18. Neurocam is a camera you control with your brainwaves [online] (Retrieved November 10 2015). Available from:: http://www.electronicproducts.com/Optoelectronics/Image_Sensors_and_Optical_Detectors/Neurocam_is_a_camera_you_control_with_your_brainwaves.aspx
  19. Mobile phones and your health [online] (Retrieved December 7 2015). Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/mobile-phones-and-your-health
  20. Necomimi [online] (Retrieved December 7 2015). Available from: http://www.necomimi.com/HowNecomimiWorks.aspx