BBC Coming Up with Mind-Controlled TV

BBC is coming up with a TV which can be operated based on our mind. This is good news for all the couch potatoes out there! As with this mind controlled TV, they do not need to lift a finger to open an app in the TV or select a program to watch.

The mind controlled TV is now being developed by BBC’s Digital division. According to the Head of business development for the division, Cyrus Saihan, the television is aimed to give preview for program makers, technologists and others of the possibilities that can be made based on this technology. One of these possibilities is for the people with disabilities as well as an opportunity to develop a better user interface. It also can be useful in a scenario whereby the drivers do not need to lift their fingers from the steering wheel when they want to change the radio station in their cars.

The prototype is using a low-cost electroencephalography (EEG) brainwave ready headset which is similar to the technology which is used for Melomind and Muse brain-training apps. The way that it works is that the headset monitors on the electrical activity of the brain which in the end is transmitting signal to the apps to use concentration or meditation as a command to do something. The app then will display something like volume bar on the screen which in the end will carry out certain actions according to the level of the concentration.

The users are presented with five popular BBC shows. When the users want to watch one of them, they will need to concentrate for 10 seconds and the program will start playing.

Well, this sounds good and hopefully, we can get the final version soon!

BBC Coming Up with Mind-Controlled TV

BBC’s new Doctor Who game teaches computing skills to kids

BBC has announced a new online game “The Doctor and the Dalek” for its CBBC audiences. In this game, kids will have to help the popular time-travelling Doctor Who in his new adventure. The game will inspire kids to learn programming skills as they help Doctor Who in his quest to destroy his enemies and save the universe.

The Doctor and the Dalek features the voice narration of Peter Capaldi, who is the current doctor. The story has been written by Phil Ford, the writer of TV shows Doctor Who and Wizard vs Aliens.. The game is a part of BBC’s “Make it Digital” initiative and aims to encourage kids to learn coding and programming while having fun.

The game has a variety of puzzles where the player has to program Dalek to power him up so that he can perform various tasks. The challenges become difficult as the game progresses. The puzzles are based on the new computing curriculum in UK and children can learn computer programming as they play the game. Children will have to combine instructions to reach a goal, changing variables for behavior, using repetition and loops as well as logical reasoning.

“We’re really excited about the launch of The Doctor and the Dalek as not only is it a really entertaining platform game for kids to play but it’s also a great introduction to some key principles of computer programming,” said Sinéad Rocks, Head of BBC Learning. “Every puzzle has a strong link to the KS2 or KS3 computer science curriculum. So we think it’s going to be a really valuable tool for students, parents and teachers.”

Let us see if The Doctor and the Dalek succeeds in entertaining kids as well as inducing them to learn some basic programming skills as it is meant to do. The game is available for free at www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc.

BBC’s new Doctor Who game teaches computing skills to kids