Using a technology called functional near-infrared imaging (fNIR) localized changes in oxygenation and cortical blood flow can be detected (see figure below). This is done by shining low-intensity near-infrared light through the skull at a focused location and measuring how much reflects back out. Because each area of the brain is responsible for a known set of cognitive tasks, this yields useful information about the brain's response to various environmental stimuli.

Archinoetics' OTIS system has evolved in recent years and is currently being miniaturized so that the entire electronics system is contained in a small sensor that communicates wirelessly with a computer.