November 19, 2003 4:32 PM PST
A 'brain charger': The ultimate PDA accessory?
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November 20, 2003
Peeg, short for "personal electroencephalogram," is designed to stimulate different types of brain waves by sending positive waves to the wearer, said Joonon Moon, a director in the planning department at Seoul-based DreamFree. Company literature says Peeg is the "world's best mobile digital brain charger."
The Peeg consists of a software application for Microsoft Pocket PC, headphones and a set of silver eyeglasses that look like the sort of thing triathletes wear. The lenses are made of opaque plastic.
When the PDA application is set on "concentration," rhythmic pinging sounds are heard in the earphones while lights flash off and on inside the glasses. Users close their eyes, so they only faintly perceive the light pulses. The frequency of the pings and the lights are meant to be synchronized so that they induce brain waves of the same frequency. By altering brain wave frequencies, Peeg can alter moods, Moon said.
"It changes your brain waves and makes you feel better," he said.
There are also settings to improve memorization and induce relaxation, sleep, vitality and jet-lag recovery. Users can wear it as long as they want, but DreamFree says that five to 10 minutes of wearing the Peeg will induce beneficial brain waves.
While most attendees at the
"It makes these little flying-saucery sounds," said Neil Rubenking, contributing technical editor for PC Magazine. "I guess I sort of liked it.
"It is more interesting than selling cables," he added.
The experience in some ways is similar to taking a nap while playing a Kraftwerk album. At first the sounds and light are jarring, but a pleasant massage effect begins to creep over you in about a minute. Even with closed eyes, one can sense the pattern of the light pulses. Sometimes the pulsing comes from the side of the glasses, while at other times it comes from the top and bottom. The pulsing tone is largely monotonic, but seems to change slightly.
The company was founded by members of Mensa Korea (members have a 158 IQ or higher) and most are software or hardware engineers, Moon said. Hyoung Sik Yoon is the chief executive officer.
DreamFree has brought samples to the country and hopes to begin selling the device in the United States this year, he said, although the company will likely need FDA approval. DreamFree has been selling the device for three years in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and Vietnam. The device sells for $300.
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- A 'brain charger': The ultimate PDA accessory
- The machine doesn't interact with brain waves, or produce brain waves, either Alpha or Beta. It appears to be nothing more than an audio exciter and some light induced sensation for the eyes. The brain waves, caused by neuronal activity in the synapses process, are electromagnetic in character, in the frequency range 15 to 50 Hertz. So, whatever this quacky machine is doing it is not interacting with brain waves. Brain waves are naturally produced, as any sensorial excitation will have an effect upon the brain. But to assign specific effects by this machine is what was similarly ascribed to alchemists in the 16/17th century, who claimed they could turn lead into gold! I can think of a million things to do with $300.00, but one would not to buy one of these fake machines.
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