Today’s social and economic climate make this device especially attractive. According to a study from the American Psychological Association, Americans are more stressed out than ever, with 47 percent of adults reporting feelings of anxiety, 44 percent feeling sad, and 39 percent feeling extreme anger. No wonder a mind-trainer that pledges inner tranquility and relief from brain fog is in high demand.

And lots of people are apparently excited and ready to supercharge their brains, as the project met its crowdfunding goal within three hours of its campaign posting on Indiegogo. With 24 days left to go at the time of writing, backers have already raised over $655,000, 2,184 percent of the original $30,000 goal.

“We believe that through Sens.ai, anyone can finally have access to world-class neuro-optimization technology in the comfort of their own home and at an approachable cost,” says Paola Telfer, CEO and founder of Sens.ai. “One of the many benefits of Sens.ai is the ability to reduce stress and increase happiness. Many people struggle to reduce stress levels quickly and long term. This is where Sens.ai comes into play, utilizing personalized HRV and neurofeedback training technology, it empowers people to quickly summon calm when they feel stress and more importantly, train calm as a long-term, substance-free habit.”

The headset features sensors that can take in data from the brain and body and use it to provide audiovisual feedback. Its Gamma-grade sensors can read the fastest brainwaves, while the Pulse Oximeter sensor monitors heart signals thousands of times per second, measuring heart rate variability and allowing the Sens.ai to tailor a training program to increase heart coherence, an indicator of a balanced nervous system.

Sens.ai also incorporates photobiomodulation, a type of infrared light therapy used to stimulate the gray matter. LEDs strategically placed in the headset send out light energy that is absorbed by photoreceptors in the brain, initiating metabolic processes that improve circulation and oxygen utilization. The company says the result is an “energy lift” and an “accelerated ability to learn.”

Pairing with a phone app, users will be able to access 20 different brain-enhancing courses, each lasting eight to 12 weeks. Some are aimed at cognitive speed, others include mindful meditations, and others still endeavor to increase things like memory retention and concentration. Users can also access programs to help with better sleep, resilience, creativity, or clarity.

During the training programs, the user’s brainwaves are converted into lights and sounds on the phone app. The lights get higher and the sounds get louder and more frequent when the user is doing well and in “the training zone.” The headset sensors will also sense when the wearer needs a neuro boost and activate the LED lights for an immediately felt state change. The results can be tracked on the app afterwards and monitored for progress.

The Sens.ai team of cognitive experts says it built the device on decades of neurotechnology research. With several patents pending, they claim that their headset is the most comprehensive brain training solution offered at home. It can produce results with just 20 minutes of use, three times a week.

“The most exciting technology revolution is not outer space, it’s the exploration of inner space,” the company says on its Indiegogo campaign page.

The base-model Sens.ai is currently on offer for $999 on Indiegogo, with the brain-training devices expected to ship out in the second quarter of 2022.

The post The Sens.ai Headset Promises a Sharper, Faster, Better Brain first appeared on Dornob.

The “Magic Leap One” headset uses light-field technology to project realistic animated 3D imagery onto the user’s retinas, blurring the lines between what’s real and what isn’t. A handheld controller lets you navigate the augmented reality world, pulling up menus and options as you go.

Though not exactly fashionable or unobtrusive, the headset is lightweight, taking the form of goggles instead of the bulky helmet-style viewer that many have come to associate with AR technology (and do we really expect these things to be fashionable?).

You strap a circular computer module to your hip, which in turn plugs into the goggles. In addition to the remote, the system can be controlled using voice commands, gestures, eye-tracking, and head pose input. Magic Leap says users will even be able to purchase prescription lenses for the headset, answering a crucial question for those of us that need a little vision enhancement.

The Magic Leap One is currently being billed as a “Creator Edition” designed specifically for developers. The company has yet to release any details on pricing, but they say the headset will begin shipping in 2018. A consumer version probably isn’t too far behind. They’re careful to note that they’re still working on the final version and that “the product is continually dancing and may be different at time of shipment.”

So how does it work? According to Magic Leap, the headset’s primary feature is its “Digital Lightfield,” which consists of photonics that generate digital light at different depths to blend with natural light, making digital objects look more realistic in the user’s environment. It’s a way to help our brains process digital objects the same way we do real-world ones, so we can immerse ourselves in these augmented environments for longer periods of time without strain.

A suite of built-in sensors detect surfaces, planes, and objects in your surroundings so they can be digitally recreated and blended with virtual elements. Using room-mapping technology, the AR system determines the dimensions and placement of rooms and the objects they contain, so when you place a digital object somewhere, it’ll stay put. For example, you could place a virtual television on the wall over your fireplace or a weather display in a corner of the room.

The “Soundfield Audio” feature mimics the real world to account for the location that a sound is coming from, “meaning you’ll know how close a virtual T-Rex is as it stomps up behind you.” The headset’s high-powered processing unit provides gaming-quality graphics, and its next-generation interface eliminates “outdated” point-and-click input systems in favor of more natural and intuitive options.

The developer release will allow people working in fields like gaming to produce content that specifically makes use of the Magic Leap One system. The possibilities feel virtually endless, offering developers “a sandbox without boundaries (or real sand).”

“Great games transport us to different worlds. But what happens when games live in ours? Now, gameplay and characters finally come to you,” says the company. “Where will you take them?”

While they may be the first to pull off a wide release, Magic Leap isn’t the only company working on exciting AR technology. It’s likely that 2018 will bring announcements from companies like Google and Apple regarding products with similar capabilities.

The post Magic Leap One: Are These Goggles the Future of AR? first appeared on Dornob.

Luckily, there’s a new way to fully immerse yourself in entertainment without bothering anyone around you. The GOOVIS Young is a “personal mobile cinema” headset compatible with common devices like the iPhone, Android, PS4, and Xbox, featuring twin 1920 x 1080 M-OLED goggle displays. The result is comparable to an 800-inch screen viewed from 66 feet away. You can even ditch your glasses or contacts with the built-in diopter adjustment, setting the display to accommodate your eyesight with an accuracy of plus or minus 0.33 degrees.

Recently wrapping up a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, the GOOVIS Young claims its pixel-per-degree (a way to measure sharpness) is four times sharper than other VR headsets, producing the equivalent of one top-of-the-line SONY OLED television for each eye.

The large-angle flip lets you pause your virtual experience to check in with your real surroundings without taking the headset off, and anti-fog ventilation keeps the screens clear at all times. On top of that, there’s no charging required. Just use the included cable (or a video adapter for HDMI) to connect to your device (it remains to be seen how well this feature will actually work with large electronics like televisions and gaming systems).

Using it to watch movies and television is obvious, but the company notes that you can also use it to view anything else you’d normally do on your devices, like performing painstakingly detailed work in Photoshop, browsing the internet, or playing games. One of the GOOVIS’ coolest capabilities might be its drone connectivity, which allows you to fly a drone and look through its cameras in real time, giving you a bird’s eye view of the area around you while remaining firmly on the ground.

It’s easy to imagine scenarios in which a headset like this would be really helpful, not the least of which is enjoying a little Netflix in bed after your partner has fallen asleep. Its release also just happens to coincide with a time of unexpected social distancing, and the company notes that it could be helpful for living in small spaces with people who want to do different activities at the same time.

Devices like the GOOVIS Young might also be a sort of entry-level way to get into virtual reality tech, which, thus far, has been slow to enter mainstream popularity. There’s been a lot of musing over the last couple years about why VR has failed to catch on, resulting in companies like Google shuttering their VR projects. Maybe it’s for the same reason people didn’t like Google Glass: the headsets are conspicuous and nerdy, and the technology might strike some as potentially invasive.

Simple devices like this headset demonstrate the versatility of the technology. You don’t have to become a digital shut-in to enjoy it, and its conveniences are worthy of consideration even by people who don’t consider themselves huge techies and gamers. The GOOVIS Young is currently available for pre-order via Indiegogo.

The post Immerse Yourself in Your Favorite Movies With This Portable Private Theater Headset first appeared on Dornob.

Technology is bringing the world together in unexpected ways each and every day, making far-off events feel closer than ever before. MelodyVR, a new app that provides front-row and on-stage virtual reality access to live music events, gives you a chance to experience your favorite artists from the comfort of your home.

How Does It Work?

MelodyVR is a streaming app available for iOS and Android phones, as well as VR headsets like Oculus. In the app, viewers can access live performances as the hottest stars take the stage. This means a front-row seat at several otherwise sold-out shows. It also brings a far-off show to the viewer, eliminating the distances between them and the concert. Watch a London show in Australia, or even Boston.

While the app brings perhaps otherwise-unattainable viewing options to the public, it’s also a way for bands to reach more fans. The designers at MelodyVR came up with the idea “not to replace the live experience, but to harness the power of virtual reality to get people closer to the music they love,” and artists are seeing the potential.

After MelodyVR partnered with Good Morning America to live stream country artist performances from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Luke Combs had this to say: “I don’t know if you want me in your living room, but if you do, we made that happen.” He continued, “It’s so cool that people around the world can get up close to the show in Nashville with MelodyVR and Good Morning America. CMA Awards day will be so exciting for me after one hell of a year, and being able to share that moment with my fans in VR is real special.”

Not only does MelodyVR get you in the audience (virtually) at a live concert, but it also provides you with a close-up view of the on-stage or studio action. With a variety of jump spot options, the viewer can truly craft their own experience. Stand on stage, jump into the back of the venue, or linger just off the edge of the performance. Wherever you land, MelodyVR offers an immersive, 360-degree view of the show and everything going on around it.

Sustainability

Every industry seems to be part of the dialogue surrounding environmental responsibility these days, and the music industry is no exception. Carbon emissions resulting from travel of the band and fans alike, waste from events, and copious power consumption are just a few reasons artists are choosing to take responsibility for their contribution to the climate crisis. With some bands limiting live performances or deciding not to tour all together, MelodyVR offers a way to reduce the impact live performances have on the planet while still providing the fans with unforgettable experiences. Instead of putting on hundreds of shows, a band could opt to perform in just 10 cities, linking into VR audiences all over the world and effectively reaching the same number of people. Or they could send out an exclusive VR studio performance to their subscribers and eliminate the tour altogether.

The first of its kind, MelodyVR poses the question: “is virtual reality the future of the music industry?”

It would appear so, at least in part, as artists like Future, Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Midland, Kelly Clarkson, Hunter Hayes, Gunna, and Khalid continue to enthusiastically jump into the technology. You can already catch their performances on the MelodyVR app.

The post Attend Your Favorite Concert in VR With the MelodyVR App first appeared on Dornob.

• Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington
• Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia outside of Atlanta
• The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles
• Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka
• Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape in Lake George, New York
• Goliath at La Ronde in Montreal, Canada
• Superman Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio
• Superman The Ride at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts
• Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

The post Six Flags is Now Offering VR Headsets on Select Roller Coasters first appeared on Dornob.

The Allosky

Described as having a “cinematic field of view,” the Allosky VR headset is equipped with 1080p per-eye resolution to ensure a high-quality, high-fidelity experience whilst in-flight. VR allows for a far more immersive experience than any other form of standard in-flight entertainment, fully immersing the passenger in whatever whimsical world they choose to enter.

VR headsets can transport you to anywhere you want to be, from a comfortable virtual living room to a first class movie-theater. Pair that with with a killer set of noise-cancelling earphones, and it seems like the user could almost forget that they were even on a plane in the first place! This would be especially beneficial to those who normally get sick or anxious from flying. The headset boasts 2D, 3D, and 180-degree viewing capabilities, is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth ready, and can freely adjust its focus to accommodate all levels of eyesight.

Everything you need to enjoy the Allosky is already integrated into the headset, which means no external batteries or hard drives are necessary. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor is responsible for the headset’s high-resolution displays, and while the battery may last only a few hours at a time on it’s own, it can be run indefinitely off the plane’s power in this case. Still, the device is generally portable and ultra light, weighing less than the tablets most airlines currently use for in-flight entertainment. Multiply that weight difference by a couple hundred, and you start to see how the headsets could even be helping the airline save money and burn less fuel.

Currently, the headset has access to content from DreamWorks, Lionsgate, National Geographic, BBC, 20th Century Fox, Baobab, Warner Brothers, and many other companies, offering everything from world-class TV series and Hollywood blockbusters to documentaries and ambient visual displays for the passengers’ enjoyment. The Allosky is set to launch on some of the longest transcontinental flights in the United States (including those from Boston to San Diego and Boston to Seattle), giving it a chance to prove that it can really keep people immersed for the long haul.

The Allosky is going to be a great way for Alaska Airlines to differentiate itself from its competitors, and as the first airline to trial a virtual reality experience, it’s sure sure to expose a ton of unsuspecting passengers to a piece of technology they’d only ever heard whispers of before. The future really is exciting!

The post Alaska Airlines is Making VR a Part of the First Class Experience first appeared on Dornob.

Maven Machines is a front-runner in the field of driving safety, with a focus on commercial drivers rather than private ones. This makes a lot of sense, considering the fact that professional drivers are on the road for several hours every day, clocking up innumerable hours of driving time while dealing with all kinds of weather and road conditions. They also tend to drive bigger, more powerful vehicles: a Mack truck can no doubt do more damage in an accident than a Mini.

The Maven Co-Pilot is the world’s first smart headset. The hands-free device gives drivers real-time warnings when it detects the slightest signs of fatigue or distraction, giving them ample time to pull off the road and rest. The Co-Pilot connects to the Maven app and gives the driver instant access to key metrics such as their speeding and braking habits, helping them avoid penalties and improving their performance.

Reinforcing safe driving habits is an important part of Maven’s mission, and since the Co-Pilot gives feedback in real time, it lets drivers take charge of their own skills and helps them become more proficient, efficient, and safe when they drive. “Maven creates better drivers through mobile devices and full transparency,” the company says, “and is committed to promoting a culture of safety by helping drivers instantly understand behaviors.”

The headset is revolutionizing the way truck drivers communicate. It’s packed with sensors and connects to the cloud, so drivers can get updates on their routes and the weather down the road, as well as other company messages, without ever taking their hands off the wheel.

“The smart headset provides value to a driver all day,” Maven representatives explain. “A good example is the pre-trip inspection. Our Hearable device provides voice-guided instruction so a driver can use two hands or hold a flashlight. They can use gesture controls to nod their head and confirm a station passes inspection.”

The Maven Co-Pilot SE is another cool option for truck and bus drivers. The smart headset is discreet, boasting a high-tech earbud and sensors that monitor the position of the driver’s head in real time.

Besides actively monitoring driver fatigue and distraction, the Co-Pilot SE also makes sure the driver follows the industry’s safety guidelines and checks their mirrors every five to eight seconds. The SE is lightweight, too, which means it’s perfect for delivery drivers who’ll be jumping out of their cars at various stops.

Both versions of the headset pair with the Maven app, which was designed using input from professional drivers.

The post Maven: Cool New Headsets and Monitoring Software for Truckers first appeared on Dornob.