As the definition of the television set and an individual's main viewing screen is constantly in a state of flux and advancement, the tool used to communicate with the TV is also evolving: the remote control.

Recently, inventors and designers have been pursuing new developments with the device, taking the idea of the remote and running with it.

Mind Control TV

U.K. studio This Place and the BBC have constructed a prototype for a remote that manages content on BBC iPlayer – and it works with a brainwave-reading headset. Television programs in the software can be selected by thinking and concentrating.

“You can imagine a world where instead of having to get up from your sofa or reach for your remote, you just think ‘put BBC One on’ when you want to watch TV,” writes BBC Head of Business Development Cyrus Saihan in a blog post. “Our proof-of-concept is only an experiment and just a toe in the water, but it helps our initial understanding of how we might be able to control devices using our brainwaves in the years to come.”

Sideclick

Sideclick is a universal-remote attachment for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Nexus Player and Roku created by True Bloom LLC. Last month, their Kickstarter project successfully reached $108,667 after requesting $80,000.

The purpose of Sideclick is to eliminate the usage of multiple remotes by providing functions for power, volume, channel changing and sourcing, with the addition of two “bonus buttons” which can all be programmed.

Clipping on to one’s streaming service remote puts all the controls on one handy device.

Sony SRS-LSR100

The Sony SRS-LSR100 is a new TV remote integrated with a speaker scheduled for release in Japan on September 12 for ¥19,980, or around $166.

The concept behind the remote seems to be that a viewer can effectively listen to their TV while elsewhere in their residence.

According to the Sony product page, the device uses “voice zoom” technology to make the sound of peoples’ voices clearer.

“My Remote”

Saudi Arabian inventor Rafat Madani was granted a U.S. patent at the end of July for his biometric TV remote – “My Remote.”

The device uses a fingerprint system that provides parental controls, like the restriction of inappropriate content and viewing time.

“I wanted to create a product that would support parents like me to encourage their children to lead healthier, more sociable lifestyles and also help safeguard their educational and emotional development,” Madani said.