China Watch Blog

Have you heard of Brainwave-controlled games and applications designed for use at 35,000 feet? They are a big hit at On the Wings of Innovation aerospace conference.

The global aerospace industry was treated to a sneak peek into the future of in-flight entertainment as Toronto’s InteraXon which demonstrated a prototype of their thought-controlled in-flight entertainment system to overwhelmingly positive responses.

The system was shown at On the Wings of Innovation, a global aerospace symposium organized by the Ontario Aerospace Council andthe Ontario Government. Attendees including executives from Boeing, Bombardier and even Canadian Astronaut Bjarni Tryggvasonstayed long after the day’s programming ended to play one of four brainwave-controlled games specifically designed for use at 35,000 feet.

“We think it’s time that in-flight entertainment does more than simply distract you,” says InteraXon CEO Ariel Garten, “We create in-flight experiences the offer value even after the flight is over.” The suite of applications InteraXon has created for the conference includes a meditation trainer that helps travellers relax and an EEG Golf trainer that helps users improve their concentration, focus and even their golf game.

The system measures the brain’s electrical output and sorts them into waves. The system reacts to alpha waves, associated with relaxation, and beta waves, associated with concentration. As the users relax or focus their thoughts, their brainwaves become the interface with which users control the game.

“Airline passengers are saying they want a more engaging experience or they want to rest comfortably. InteraXon’s thought-controlledcomputing offers tremendous potential for delivering on both of those needs.” said Rod Jones, Executive Director of Aerospace Ontario, “InteraXon has world-leading technology and it’s a marvellous illustration of the kind of innovative ideas that we find in Ontario.”

“InteraXon is working to bring thought-controlled computing out of research labs and into the mainstream,” explains Chris Aimone, CTO.“We help companies looking to engage in the exploding thought controlled computing space bring products and services to market.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywclyhmwUQY

China Watch Blog picked up this news that Hong Kong’s business conditions continued to strengthen in June but the pace of improvement was the weakest since September.

According to a Reuters’ report, in the mainland, a services-industry index slid to a 15-month low, adding to signs that the economy leading the world recovery is cooling.

The Hong Kong purchasing managers index compiled by HSBC fell to 52.6 last month from 53.2 in May, the second straight monthly fall. A reading above 50 suggests expansion in manufacturing activity.

The increase of overall new orders slowed from May to the weakest in 11 months.

New business orders received from China also grew at a slower pace, although the latest increase remained sharp on a historical basis.

“Growth in new business inflows to Hong Kong eased from the previous month, resulting in a slowdown in the headline PMI for the second consecutive month,” said Mark McCombe, chief executive of HSBC, Hong Kong.

“However, a continuously improving labor market should support solid expansion in Hong Kong’s domestic demand. Inflation is likely to rise in the coming months despite a slower rise in output prices.”

The mainland services-industry measure fell to 55.6 in June from 56.4 in May, HSBC said.

The data adds to weaker numbers in June for manufacturing indexes and a second measure of the services industry after Beijing cracked down on property speculation and as the effects of stimulus measures fade.

Macquarie Securities economist Paul Cavey predicted growth to slow to 8 percent in the fourth quarter of this year.