The lights are on
Among the big-budget booths and high-profile titles at Tokyo Game Show, there are also dozens of smaller-profile displays dedicated to technology companies hoping to draw attention. BrainKiss occupies one of those displays, and features an in-development iPad app. I passed by their booth several times since the show began, intrigued by the odd name and the sight of attendees with sensors strapped to their head. After wondering what the hell it was for two days, I decided to give it a try for myself.
One of their employees knew a little English, so I asked him exactly what it does. He wasted no time in strapping the sensors to my head and ear, and explained that they detect alpha and beta waves in the brain. The data it collects supposedly indicates whether or not you're interested in someone romantically. Once he explained that and I realized there were Japanese models near the booth, I sensed incoming awkwardness.
Sure enough, he flagged down an attractive model and brought her over to me. He explained that we'd have to stare into each other's eyes for 15 seconds, and the app would let me know if I was interested in her.
He started the timer, and the next 15 seconds felt like an hour. Have you ever stared directly into the eyes of an attractive Japanese model that doesn't speak any English for 15 seconds? It's weird. Normally I'd have made some dumb jokes or something to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation, but even that wasn't an option thanks to the language barrier. After a super-weird 15 seconds, the app returned my results:
Apparently I wasn't interested in her. Could have fooled me, but maybe the app knew something about her that I didn't. Maybe she's a sociopath or thinks Carlos Mencia is funny or something, because my brain waves don't lie. Now I gotta go to the doctor when I get back to the States and make sure he scoops out all my new brain tumors.
Email the author Dan Ryckert, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
Best news story. Ever.
And you're probably right. She looks like someone who thinks Carlos Mencia is funny.
That is an awesome pic. And some awesome cross-culture awkwardness.
Brain Kiss= Fail.
What makes it even more awkward is that if you don't like her, she gets sad.
is she part of the app? because i would download that for 9.95.
Finally some real tech for the people who text those companies to see if they're compatible or not!
What guy looks at this hot Asian model and has any blood left in his brain for romantic brain wave activity? "Pants Kiss," that would work.
I thought Beta waves only showed up when you sleep?
it must be broken cuz she looks pretty hot to me
Dude wtf you look so derp. Id be all smiles next to a girl that cute.
I do not think I will EVER do this.
Maybe it knows the difference between romantic interest and sexual interest. Plus, I LOVE the look on your face in the top picture.
Bahahaha
This made my day. lol. 15 second awkward stare(would've loved to have seen that). You guys are great!
I think that there are other ways to find out whether a male is attracted to another person. HA!
Lol thats pretty awesome Dan.
That's so awkward!
Is it the first, or second expression in the pictures, that you had for 15 seconds.
I wonder if you could have gotten a date if the thing said you do like her...