Startup reveals radical headband that could help cure motion sickness in the military

A startup has developed a radical headband that could eliminate motion sickness without the need for drugs.

Called OtoTech, the prototype device is worn around the head and delivers subtle vibrations to change how the brain interprets motion. 

While the device is still in the early days of testing, its creator, Samuel Owen, believes it could have big implications for members of the military who are increasingly being trained using virtual reality, according to Defense One. 

OtoTech (pictured)targets certain fibers that deliver data about motion to the vestibulocochlear nerve, which transmits balance information from the inner ear to the brain

WHAT CAUSES MOTION SICKNESS? 

The inner ear plays a key role in our balance system – it contains a complex series of fluid-filled channels which respond to changes in our body position; any changes in these channels are relayed to the brain via the auditory (or vestibular) nerve.

The brain can receive conflicting signals, thinking that its moving, even when your eyes tell it that you’re not.

This often results in motion sickness, or feelings of dizziness and queasiness. 

OtoTech targets certain fibers that deliver data about motion to the vestibulocochlear nerve, which transmits balance information from the inner ear to the brain. 

‘The working hypothesis is that [the vibration] causes a chaotic and noninformative stimulus to go to the brain,’ Owen told Defense One.

‘Somewhere, probably the cerebellum, there’s a filtering mechanism that filters out noninformative sensed information. 

‘It’s the reason you don’t notice the shirt on your back right now,’ he added. 

Put simply, the device works to generate white noise so that part of your brain stops noticing information related to balance. 

That said, the brain is still aware that the body is moving.

Owen told Defense One that OtoTech appears to reduce motion sickness without negatively impacting balance, vision, alertness or any other factors. 

It has already attracted the attention of several major players. 

The device works to generate white noise so that part of your brain stops noticing information related to balance. It hasn't been shown to negatively impact balance, vision or motion

The device works to generate white noise so that part of your brain stops noticing information related to balance. It hasn’t been shown to negatively impact balance, vision or motion

Jaguar Land Rover is testing the device, while researchers at Coventry University in the UK and the University of Miami are also looking into how it could be used to reduce vertigo.

The device was initially developed as a way to lessen symptoms of vertigo, but that objective has since broadened to possible applications in the military, virtual reality and other areas. 

‘We noticed that it would improve the overall virtual reality experience,’ Owen told Defense One. 

‘We’ve started to use it in our military devices. The initial reaction is, it looks unusual, but afterwards, people don’t even notice.’ 

The device was initially developed as a way to lessen symptoms of vertigo, but that objective has since broadened to possible applications in the military, virtual reality and other areas

The device was initially developed as a way to lessen symptoms of vertigo, but that objective has since broadened to possible applications in the military, virtual reality and other areas

It comes as the military has increasingly looked to virtual reality as a way to train soldiers. 

The Air Force uses VR to train pilots and even truck drivers, Defense One. 

Currently, troops take various medications to reduce motion sickness, but the headband could eliminate that need.   

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk