User:1sfoerster/biofeedback/Force Trainer Hacks

Problem Statement
A brain–computer interface is needed for the BioFeedBack project that is going to be controlled by an arduino.

Starting Points Explored

 * OpenEEG Project was explored and found too complicated
 * Medical versions were too expensive, required training and raised safety issues.
 * $200 kit used in engineering competition looks really nice.

Toys appeared to be the best starting point. The kit above should be ordered for future expansion of this project.

The Force Trainer
A toy called the "Force Trainer" was chosen as the starting point. There has a wikipedia article. Other information about it:
 * manufacturer
 * manual
 * company that makes the brain wave sensors

Purchase
The toy was purchased from amazon for about $50. The toy was made in 2009, and availability seems to be disappearing although other toy products using the Neurosky EEG sensors are being released.

Toy Testing
The toy was missing: The retail price is $130, so perhaps the unit purchased was used.
 * battery cover
 * ball
 * manual

The toy was successfully used and worked as advertised.

Base Versus Headset Hack
Two hacks were found:
 * serial out of the base hack
 * instructables head set hack

Wireless, Sitting, Walking Issue
This lead to a design question about the person involved in the biofeedback
 * Sitting in a chair
 * Walking around a room feeding input to a base station
 * Walking around with output devices

It was decided, that no matter what the answer to these questions, wireless links that exist need to be leveraged. Wireless links are: This is true even if the person is walking around with both the head set, base station and all output devices.
 * safer
 * more reliable
 * more attractive

Putting Arduino in the Force Trainer base
The Force Trainer base looked large enough to include an arduino. After taking it appears possible to put an arduino in the base. (see the pictures below).

Next Steps

 * Order the $200 parallax kit
 * Solve the stripped screw problem
 * Draw mount for the arduino and 3D print it
 * Put Force Trainer Back Together and test
 * Draw battery cover and 3D print it
 * Explore serial out of the base