How’s this for mind over matter? Mattel, purveyors of Hot Wheels and Barbie, now has something to keep the mind as well as the hands occupied – the Mattel Mind Flex. While examples of mind-controlled (or more correctly termed, “physiologically-controlled”) gadgets have surfaced, the fact that Mattel, a mainstream toy manufacturer, is coming out with this product with no more fanfare than its regular release of varied Barbie costumes tells us something of the maturity of this technology. [Thanks to Engadget.com for all pictures]

This device works by detecting mental activity, in the same way that EKGs (electrocardiograms) detect electrical pulses given off by the heart – speeding up the display indicators to reflect actual activity of whatever is being monitored. Taken to its logical conclusion, Mattel has made a kind of toy where the player actually controls these signals or activity of the brain to control a game.

                                             The base station / obstacle course also houses the air vents that enable the user to seemingly use telekinesis to control the ball.

The game described as simply as possible consists of a fan, a ball, and a plastic obstacle course. It involves moving around the ball by alternating between concentrating and relaxing to either increase or decrease the fan speed, respectively. In this way, the ball floats up or down depending on the fan speed, with the option to time yourself if you so desire. Presumable the headset acts like the detector and transmits indicators of mental activity to the base station / obstacle course, telling the fan when to power up or down.

                                             Furrowed face of concentration gives way to grins as the user concentrates and relaxes.

According to reviewers on Engadget, “mental activity” simply means concentrating on “the number of posts left to write” causing the fan to spin faster, and thinking about “getting some sleep” causing the fan to slow down. Sounds fairly similar to what the HWM people experience. It also sounds like the device is based more on feelings of anxiety and relaxation, although to most people it can be considered the same as “mental activity”. Regardless, Engadget calls it “impressively responsive” and fun, which is more than enough to make this a potentially successful product. SRP is said to be in the region of P4000 if and when it gets to local shores. (Also thanks to Engadget for pictures).