Urban Transport

"Board of Awesomeness" evolves into mind-controlled "Board of Imagination"

"Board of Awesomeness" evolves into mind-controlled "Board of Imagination"
The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
View 14 Images
Chaotic Moon Labs has followed up the motion controlled "Board of Awesomeness" with the mind controlled "Board of Imagination"
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Chaotic Moon Labs has followed up the motion controlled "Board of Awesomeness" with the mind controlled "Board of Imagination"
The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
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The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
Chaotic Moon Labs has followed up the motion controlled "Board of Awesomeness" with the mind controlled "Board of Imagination"
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Chaotic Moon Labs has followed up the motion controlled "Board of Awesomeness" with the mind controlled "Board of Imagination"
The rider wears an Emotiv EPOC headset to track their brainwaves and transmit the data to the tablet
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The rider wears an Emotiv EPOC headset to track their brainwaves and transmit the data to the tablet
A phidget interface module and an 800 watt electric motor underneath the Board of Imagination connect to a prototype Windows 8 tablet on the top
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A phidget interface module and an 800 watt electric motor underneath the Board of Imagination connect to a prototype Windows 8 tablet on the top
The user can control speed and braking with their newfound telekinesis, but steering still requires leaning like on a traditional skateboard
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The user can control speed and braking with their newfound telekinesis, but steering still requires leaning like on a traditional skateboard
A prototype Windows 8 tablet on top of the board monitors the controls and can adjust speed settings
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A prototype Windows 8 tablet on top of the board monitors the controls and can adjust speed settings
The Board of Imagination can reach speeds up to 32 mph (51 km/h) and drive off-road thanks to a set of all-terrain tires
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The Board of Imagination can reach speeds up to 32 mph (51 km/h) and drive off-road thanks to a set of all-terrain tires
The rider wears an Emotiv EPOC headset to track their brainwaves and transmit the data to the tablet
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The rider wears an Emotiv EPOC headset to track their brainwaves and transmit the data to the tablet
With the Emotiv EPOC headset synced to the board, the wearer only has to think about where they want to go and the board will move along with their thoughts
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With the Emotiv EPOC headset synced to the board, the wearer only has to think about where they want to go and the board will move along with their thoughts
The aptly named "Board of Imagination," moves forward just by having a user think about it while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
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The aptly named "Board of Imagination," moves forward just by having a user think about it while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
A prototype Windows 8 tablet on top of the board monitors the controls and can adjust speed settings
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A prototype Windows 8 tablet on top of the board monitors the controls and can adjust speed settings
A phidget interface module and an 800 watt electric motor underneath the Board of Imagination connect to a prototype Windows 8 tablet on the top
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A phidget interface module and an 800 watt electric motor underneath the Board of Imagination connect to a prototype Windows 8 tablet on the top
The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
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The aptly-named "Board of Imagination" moves forward just by having a user think about it, while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset
View gallery - 14 images

Chaotic Moon Labs drew a lot of attention last month at CES 2012 with its motion controlled "Board of Awesomeness," a longboard that a rider controls by gesturing at a Kinect sensor on the front. Apparently though, that was just the beginning. So, how could the studio possibly improve on a skateboard that starts and stops just by having a person move their hands? By not having the rider move at all. The latest creation, the aptly named "Board of Imagination," moves forward just by having a user think about it while wearing an Emotiv EPOC headset.

The Board of Imagination uses most of the same components as its predecessor. A phidget interface module and an 800-watt electric motor underneath the board connect to a prototype Windows 8 tablet on the top, which monitors the controls and can adjust speed settings. The board can reach speeds up to 32 mph (51 km/h) and drive off-road thanks to a set of all-terrain tires.

With the Emotiv EPOC headset synced to the board, the wearer only has to think about where they want to go and the board will move along with their thoughts
With the Emotiv EPOC headset synced to the board, the wearer only has to think about where they want to go and the board will move along with their thoughts

The key difference is of course the Emotiv EPOC headset, that the rider wears to track their brainwaves and transmit the data to the tablet. With the headset synced to the board, the wearer only has to think about where they want to go, and the board will move along with their thoughts. The user can control speed and braking with their newfound telekinesis, but steering still requires leaning like on a traditional skateboard.

To see the Board of Imagination in action check out the video below, which looks like it could have been a deleted scene from a superhero movie.

Source: Chaotic Moon Labs

Chaotic Moon Labs' Board of Imagination

View gallery - 14 images
4 comments
4 comments
Matt Fletcher
This truely is awesome. I can't wait to hear when they get it to turn by telekinesis as well.
Ed
But why does it look like the guy riding it is on the verge of falling off?
Kirill Belousov
Wow! Looks like lot of fun! Where are you planning to stick the software in the final version I wonder? Is it just going to be a separate module for wi-fi pickup? Really cool idea. Also how long are the batteries last? You should incorporate piezo elements to charge it while moving!
Kirill Belousov
@Ed: Perhaps he was thinking this and the board made the rest of the job ;)