Bringing the world of science fiction to life! The potential for new communication methods that convey thoughts through "brainwaves."

When people want to convey their feelings to others, they use words. They use writing. They use gestures. They use images. There are many methods, but a new challenge has begun: "communicating through brainwaves." We introduce solutions utilizing brainwaves, starting with "NOUPATHY," a communication tool that allows people to convey their intentions through brainwaves, even if they cannot move their bodies or speak.

Brainwave Utilization Brings New Possibilities to Communication for ALS Patients

Are you familiar with ALS, a severe disease?Known in Japanese as "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," it is a disease where the motor nervous system gradually ages and becomes unusable. Muscle strength in various parts of the body gradually declines, leading to the inability to move limbs. Furthermore, the ability to speak is lost, and in severe cases, independent breathing becomes difficult, and even eye movement may cease. However, it is known that even when the disease progresses to its final stages, hearing and brainwaves remain intact.

NOUPATHY: A Tool for Communicating Intent Through Sound and Brain Waves

We hypothesized that by linking "sound" and "intention" using this hearing and brainwave capability, it might be possible to communicate with ALS patients who cannot move their bodies or speak. To solve this challenge, Dentsu ScienceJam Inc., with the cooperation of the general incorporated association WITH ALS, is developing a communication tool called "NOUPATHY."Named "NOUPATHY" (brain-path) by combining "brain" and "telepathy," it conveys thoughts through brainwaves.

People can recognize specific sounds they've learned beforehand when they hear them. NOUPATHY reads the unique brainwaves generated at the moment of this recognition.For example, sounds are linked to specific intentions: a frog's croak means "I want a drink," a duck's quack means "I want suction." Sounds are played, and brainwaves are measured to see which sound elicits a response. By understanding these sounds and brainwaves, intentions can be read without words.

Even subjective evaluations can be scientifically validated using brainwaves

NOUPATHY is being developed in collaboration with medical professionals and ALS patients. Its current reading accuracy exceeds approximately 80%. However, to commercialize it as a generally available product, further accuracy improvements are necessary, requiring continued development.

Brainwave research remains largely uncharted territory. Brainwaves vary not only between individuals but also fluctuate daily within the same person.While one person might achieve 90% accuracy with NOUPATHY, another might only reach 50%. Even someone typically at 90% accuracy can see a drop simply due to being sleepy or lacking motivation. Maintaining over 90% accuracy consistently is a truly difficult challenge, and we continue to tackle it daily. Nevertheless, if this enables smoother communication with ALS patients than ever before, it could lead to new hope.

The "Sensitivity Analyzer" that measures sensibility through brainwaves

Beyond NOUPATHY, efforts to "measure brainwaves and utilize them for marketing and evaluation metrics" are already quite common . The "Emotional Analyzer," developed by Dentsu ScienceJam Inc. in collaboration with Keio University, is a simplified evaluation kit that uses an electroencephalograph (EEG) to capture emotional states such as stress levels, interest levels, comfort levels, concentration levels, sleepiness levels, calmness levels, and liking levels. For example, how effectively did a video or event appeal to customers' sensibilities? Previously, the only methods to measure this effect were questionnaires and interviews. Now, through brainwaves, it is becoming possible to scientifically clarify this.

Measuring the Impact of Forest Environments on Mental Health Using Brainwaves

A recent example involves an initiative to verify, through EEG, the impact of a parent-child wellness program in a forest environment on the mental health of children (elementary school students). The results of this study suggested the possibility that "spending time in the forest has an effect of reducing children's stress." While it was intuitively understood that forest environments likely have a positive influence on children, EEG measurement has now made it possible to scientifically verify this.

Advancements in Measurement Devices Expand the Potential of EEG Utilization

To make EEG measurement more accessible and foster new forms of communication using brainwaves, the type of device used for measurement is a crucial factor. While wearing a headgear-like device with many electrodes and wires improves measurement accuracy, it is cumbersome to attach and bulky to use.Furthermore, expensive devices are impractical for everyday use by the general public. However, technological advances are enabling the miniaturization and simplification of the measurement devices themselves. This will make it possible to carry them around and take measurements in various locations. Consequently, it will become easier to realize various initiatives, not only using brainwaves for communication but also employing them as evaluation and analysis tools, leveraging them for marketing, and more. The evolution of devices is also playing a vital role in expanding the potential of brainwaves.

Brainwave measurement holds immense potential. If communication via brainwaves becomes possible, the sci-fi world where "thoughts are transmitted" may not be far off.Furthermore, products and services that were previously thought to be "somehow beneficial but difficult to explain or prove" can now scientifically demonstrate the fact that they "positively influence the brain" through EEG measurement. Objectively proving value in this way could increase trust in the product or service and potentially appeal to a wider audience. Interest and expectations surrounding neuroscience will likely continue to grow.