[PD] Heart rate and brainwave sensor

[Olaf Matthes]

Johannes Taelman schrieb:

> It's all possible, but I don't think there is any off-the-shelf solution
> besides biomuse.

Some years ago the was a product available called 'Wave Rider'. A box with two
inputs for brainwave sensors, one for skin resistance and on for heartbeat (if I
remember correctly). There were also other configurations (more inputs) available.
For WinPC there was a software that read in the data through the serial port and
converted it into music. For Mac a MAX object was availble (but I never used it
myselfe). Alltogether 3000,- DM (about US$ 1500,-!!). The device was available in
Germany throuh Magic Music but the manufacturer was US based (can't remeber it's
name).
We used it to control a Yamaha diskalvier. - The sensors were rather simple and it
was very difficult to get any reproducable brainwave capturing. A more reliable way
to get brainwaves into your computer could be to get an old brainwave recording
system from a hospital. Everything else is just toys and you'll get almost any
output you want - without any relation to the brainwaves!
BTW we were even on British television with our WaveRider in one episode (September
1998) of Channel 4's 'Eurotrash' series.... today I feel very ashamed for that...
;-)

Olaf


PS: wow it's still available, it seems: http://www.mindpeak.com/waverider.htm and
http://www.futurehealth.org/waveride.htm