Experiencing the Pressure: Gamer Trials Brain-Reading Headphones for Swift Response

Insights from ZDNET

Neurable, an innovative company specializing in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology suitable for consumer headphones, is branching into gaming headsets.

Following its initial release two years ago with the MW75 Neuro in partnership with Master and Dynamic, Neurable now collaborates with HyperX to embed its BCI capabilities into gaming headphones.

Current Status of the Prototype

Though still in the prototype phase, details such as model specifics, price, release date, sound quality, and gaming system compatibility remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, an initial test reveals an intriguing glimpse into future advancements in technology integration.

While my personal gaming experience is limited to family-friendly titles like Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and It Takes Two, I quickly grasped the potential of Neurable and HyperX's collaborative vision through this technological merge.

Neurable is paving the way with AI-driven technologies that interpret brain signals. Their initial foray, the MW75 Neuro headphones, integrates this technology within luxury headphones by Master and Dynamic.

Understanding EEG Monitoring

Equipped with EEG sensors in the earpieces, these headphones monitor brainwaves to evaluate focus and stress, essentially training the brain to enhance response speed and concentration. This is particularly advantageous for gamers engaged in high-stakes environments like FPS games, assisting in pinpointing peak attention and optimizing preparation.

Observing my colleague, Kyle Kucharski, tackle an FPS training session, I could see this in action. The Neurable team arranged for him to engage in a minute-long shooting exercise on Aimlabs without preconditioning. Already stressed from a frantic CES week, Kyle was the ideal subject.

For his initial attempt, Kyle managed a score of 33,333 points with 75.5% precision, hitting 126 targets with a reaction time of 478ms. Subsequently, Neurable’s team administered their Prime brain exercise, crafted to align gamers' focus and clear their minds in preparation for demanding gaming scenarios.

Within the simulation, Kyle encountered a tumultuous display of white dots on the monitor, mirror-imaged like a chaotic school of fish, symbolizing his fragmented focus.

Kyle was then guided by the Neurable team to achieve a tranquil-centered focus—whether through contemplative meditation or direct concentration on the screen.

The Role of AI Algorithms

The embedded EEG sensors detect brainwaves, channeling them through an AI algorithm refined by diverse brainwave data to discern when he achieved maximum focus and clarity. As this mental state was attained, the dispersed dots formed a cohesive entity, visually signaling his complete concentration.

Upon repeating the Aimlabs challenge post-exercise, Kyle scored 39,405 points, elevating his accuracy to 83.3%, tackling 138 targets with a response time of 437ms.

Neurable asserts Kyle's enhanced performance demonstrates their technology's efficacy, emphasized by their claim that such exercises aid esports players in establishing a pre-competition focused mindset. The visual indicators serve as confirmation of mental readiness.

This scenario resonates with athletic pursuits wherein mental resilience is crucial, especially in high-pressure finales or championships where physical prowess alone might not suffice.

In high-stakes arenas, fortifying one’s mental acuity arguably presents more challenges than attaining peak physical condition.

Supporting Esports Athletes

Neurable forecasts that by incorporating its system into HyperX headsets, both competitive gamers and coaches can evaluate cognitive capacity on any given day, predicting performance capabilities.

The Neurable app offers feedback on attention lapses, advising breaks, evaluating stress management, recovery agility, and mental exertion.

Exercises like Prime are akin to brain conditioning drills, fortifying the cognitive-physical connection, though unlike physical muscles, this involves the mind itself.