MindMaze, the VR mask that reads your emotions

Thanks to sensors MindMaze, virtual reality headsets, can understand if we are happy or angry and modifies the expressions of our avatar

Looking at the world with virtual reality generates strong emotions. Especially if you do it for the first time. Emotions that are not easy to share. Also because, hidden by the VR headset, it's difficult for others to understand what we're feeling. That's why MindMaze has created the VR mask that reads emotions.

MindMaze is a computer science and neuroscience company and has created a new virtual reality visor that can perceive what we are feeling. This thanks to particular sensors that in contact with our eyes and cheekbones perceive the movements and expressions made. At the moment the mask is able to reproduce 10 human facial expressions, and obviously does so through an avatar that characterizes us. The software is also able to predict our emotion based on the stimuli it receives so as to avoid a delay between what we feel and what the avatar expresses for us.

The goal

The company's idea is not to build a visor with these features but to convince other manufacturers to include these sensors in the new headsets. MindMaze CEO Tej Tadi says he's been talking to several companies and that his technology will be applied to some VR visors by the end of the year. This technology, of course, is compatible with most headsets now available. For many, it will remain a niche feature, but some experts don't rule out that companies like Microsoft and HTC will be interested in the project soon.

How MindMaze Works

During testing, the emotion mask did its job well, even if there are some flaws. For example, if we tighten our eyebrows for the avatar we will be angry even though we actually wanted to express another expression such as doubt or skepticism. Also, the mask doesn't understand the wink. A pity, because it is a simple movement full of meanings. In short, still the technology needs to make strides. Fortunately, Tadi talked about an inexpensive system. Augmenting these sensors to regular VRs will cost between 20 and 30 euros.