• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, June 11, 2015

Adwatch Isobar, part of Dentsu Aegis Network has helped create a mobile app that enables victims muted by severe strokes to communicate even though they can’t speak. 

Called “I.am.here," the app utilizes a brain to computer interface (BCI) that translates brain waves into language.   

Created in partnership with ORBI, a non-profit organization in Russia dedicated to helping stroke victims and their families, and with software developer Yarr!, the mobile application analyzes massive amounts of brain activity data and maps it onto human emotions that are translated into words which are then displayed on a screen that indicate at a basic level what the victim is thinking, such as “I’m interested,” “I’m happy,” or “I’m angry." 

The free app can be installed from the App Store, Google Play and Emotiv eStore. A website hosts a video introduction for users, and in-detail explanation of how the app works.  

The project will be in contention for multiple Lions at the Cannes Festival of Creativity later this month, including several Direct Lions (such as Creative Use of Technology), Promotion & Activation Lions, Lions Health and Lions Innovation. 

Alexey Fedorov, creative director at Moscow-based AdWatch Isobar, said that “Today, millions of people can think and feel, but cannot physically express themselves because of a stroke. . .Combining two very different technologies (apps and brain signal readers) together with years and years of scientific research, we came up with a way to connect those people, giving back an ability to communicate to those who’ve lost it. However, we believe that we’ve just scratched the surface. We believe that the product we’ve developed is just the first step along the great road of discovery, and we hope it would inspire others to join us in search for solutions that could help people bring back something they’ve lost.”