Human-Computer Interface Technologies for the Motor Impaired

"Human-Computer Interface Technologies for the Motor Impaired" is the most recent book from Dinesh Kumar and Sridhar Arjunan that examines both the technical and social aspects of Human-Computer Interface (HCI). 

This book introduces to the concept of HCI, identifies and describes the fundamentals associated with a specific technology of HCI, and provides examples for each. It is presented with the following chapters:

• Human-computer interface: Mechanical sensors;
• Brain-computer interface based on thought waves and Evoked potentials-based;
• Myoelectric-based hand gesture recognition for HCI;
• Video-based hand movment and electrooculography for HCI;
• Video-based eye tracking and speech for controlling computers;
• Lip movment for humam-computer interface.

If you want to take a look inside press here.

Fundamentals in Neuroscience - A Deep Look at the Brain, BCI and EEG

The School of Health Sciences offers advanced training courses in medicine, health sciences and medical education. The fundamentals of neuroscience are one of them where it is possible to learn and understand better several subjects related with BCI/EEG. 

Some of the goals are to describe the anatomical and functional relations between major brain areas, to identify the cell types of the nervous system and also to describe the physical and functional interactions between them and explain their role in the nervous system.

The 15 days program, for graduate students and postdocs, include some labs-on sessions and is focused on various subjects such as:

• Brain Anatomy and Nervous impulse;
• Neurotransmission and neurotransmitters;
• Learning, Memory and Sensory Systems;
• Visual, Auditive and Olfactive Systems;
• Brain-machine interface and neurorehabilitation;
• Electrophysiological studies.

For more informations about this course and the ICVS press here.

Brain Driver - Control a Car using Your Mind

AutoNOMOS Labs is a German company that is working on a modular system for the operation of autonomous or semi-autonomous cars. 

Using AutoNOMOS, it is be possible to detect impending dangers on roads, highways, and crossings at an early stage and accidents can be prevented. Once the technology is ready, it will be introduced at first on private property and, finally, in public traffic. The project will make a significant contribution to the development of accident-free, efficient, and environmentally friendly mobility.

In the following video we can see the use of the device EPOC from the Emotiv company. By reading the brain electrical signals recorded at the level of the scalp (EEG) it is possible to identify patterns of behavior. In this particular case driver intentions are identified to turn left, turn right and also accelerate or brake. 

At this moment tests are being carried out on a large place as the airport runway. In my understanding this "car technology" will need time to grow up until a complete solution can be used in a real scenario within our roads.
Not advancing a date in concrete, one day will be possible to think something like: "Stop here and park on the right side!" :-)

BrainiHack Event

In March 2015 it took place in Israel the Brainihack event. Although it has taken place for some time ago it have some interested information to publish related to Brain-Computer Interfaces.

"From virtual reality games, through automatic panic alerts to mind-based dating apps, we’ve seen many incredible apps built using some of the cutting edge devices in the field: InteraXon’s Muse, OpenBCI, Neuroelectrics’ Enobio and the not-yet published Neurosteer."

Some interesting projects submited in this event:

• Emochat – An emotion-enriched chat experience that aims to bridge the emotional divide in a chat vs. real life;
• BlueGSD – A labyrinth game (maze ball) using SSVEP;
• Deja-View – A externally-created automatic memory using virtual reality. 

There are also other projects included as Right Path, Hive Mind, Brainifeed or Shoni.

In my opinion this type of meeting is very important to share knowledge and experience providing the openness to new ideas. More information here.

Performance Brain Training with VERSUS

One more BCI solution is on the market! It's called VERSUS and it was made to be easily used by anyone training the brain to improve your concentration.

Versus provides performance brain training through a brain sensing headset and app. It goes beyond cognitive brain games and promotes high-performance brain function increasing impulse control, regulate emotions, stay focused, and sleep better.

The great advantages explored and presented by this system are related to the brain's ability to improve, the measuring mental performance, the strengthening the optimal brain state and the training into practice that constantly pushes the brain activity into a stronger position.

I confess I am a little apprehensive about the results obtained with this commercial solution but nothing better than reading the published case studies as Kerri Walsh Jennings, Carlos Quentin or UCLA Golf and take your conclusions.

Introduction To Modern Brain-Computer Interface Design - BCIlab

The Swartz Center for Computational NeuroScience (SCCN) as provided an online course on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) design with a focus on modern methods. Christian Kothe is the video speaker and the course includes basics of EEG, BCI, signal processing, machine learning, and also contains tutorials on using BCILAB and the lab streaming layer software.

It is divided in three parts with some exercice materials in the end:

• Part I: Introduction to BCI Design
• Part II: The BCILAB Toolbox
• Part III: Handling Complex Brain Processes
• Exercise Materials

To access the video course press here.

World BCI Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2013 - 2020

Would you like to know the trends and investment in Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Market until 2020? According to the report by Allied Market Research entitled, "Global Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Market - Size, Industry Analysis, Trends, Opportunities, Growth and Forecast, 2013-2020", this market is expected to reach $1.460.000.000 until 2020. 

A global rise in the count of brain disorders along with the increasing government funding to improve healthcare systems, would supplement the growth of this market. The non-invasive BCI technology accounted for about 85% of the total BCI market revenue in 2013, and demonstrate a steady growth in future, thus, eliminating the need to perform surgeries and implant BCI devices.

This study analysis the global BCI market which is expected an imminent investment. It also present the market segmentation by type, application and geography. Read the free report created by Allied Market Research.

NeuroTechMTL - Neurotech Hackers Network

NeuroTechX is a bottom-up initiative to create an international neurotech hackers network. This community aim to provide key resources and learning opportunities contributing "to better understanding and to improving who we are".

A group of 9 people promote neurotechnology fields organizing events such as meetups, hackathons and workshops:

• Connect with researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts;
• Heads up to new challenges, great ideas and rewards;
• Get bottom-up knowledge from the source to get your skill to a new level.

This site has also the BCI Montreal Blog with some important information.

Neuroplasticity using a Bicycle

Here is an excellent example of neuroplasticity where the brain reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. In this funny and simple experience the wheel of the bicycle was changed, reversing the direction of intention. The instantaneous result was the expected: Falls to the ground! 

But the most interesting is how our brain, after some days or weeks, is able to adapt to this new reality. Especially if you are a child! :-)

Watch this unmissable video!

For more information about BCI/EEG press here.

NeuroMore - New Research Brain Tool

Neuromore is a new research brain tool to capture and analyze bio signals in real-time. Its possible to visualize brain waves activity, export data captured or control some devices around using multiple simultaneous biosensors. Three different components can be used: Engine, Studio and Cloud as described below.

Neuromore Engine

• Fully customizable signal processing pipeline
• Graph-based model for an intuitive data flow paradigm
• Easy-to-use high-level algorithms for data analysis
• Sample level synchronization for input devices
• Usable for real-time, post processing and concurrent analysis applications
• (...)

Neuromore Studio

• Interactive classification graph designing tools
• Fully customizable user interfaces
• Intuitive tools and workflows and highly optimized user interface
• Data visualization and real-time signal analysis
• Signals over time, power spectrum (bars, lines) and 3D
• (...)

Neuromore Cloud

• Highly secured and scalable storage solution for biodata
• Customer relationship management
• Powerful activity monitoring tools
• Convenient and full featured front-end
• REST API

This free application can be used by diferent EEG devices:

After 25 minutes of downloading and installing it in my windows system I've tried to run the application and ... surprise: It crashed!!! Then I changed the firewall settings, antivirus, the installation folder permissions, etc but the problem remained. After sending 3 error reports  to Neuromore I hope to have soon the resolution to this problem!

More posts about brain tools or BCI press here.

NeuroMore - New Research Brain Tool

Neuromore is a new research brain tool to capture and analyze bio signals in real-time. Its possible to visualize brain waves activity, export data captured or control some devices around using multiple simultaneous biosensors. Three different components can be used: Engine, Studio and Cloud as described below.

Neuromore Engine

• Fully customizable signal processing pipeline
• Graph-based model for an intuitive data flow paradigm
• Easy-to-use high-level algorithms for data analysis
• Sample level synchronization for input devices
• Usable for real-time, post processing and concurrent analysis applications
• (...)

Neuromore Studio

• Interactive classification graph designing tools
• Fully customizable user interfaces
• Intuitive tools and workflows and highly optimized user interface
• Data visualization and real-time signal analysis
• Signals over time, power spectrum (bars, lines) and 3D
• (...)

Neuromore Cloud

• Highly secured and scalable storage solution for biodata
• Customer relationship management
• Powerful activity monitoring tools
• Convenient and full featured front-end
• REST API

This free application can be used by diferent EEG devices:

After 25 minutes of downloading and installing it in my windows system I've tried to run the application and ... surprise: It crashed!!! Then I changed the firewall settings, antivirus, the installation folder permissions, etc but the problem remained. After sending 3 error reports  to Neuromore I hope to have soon the resolution to this problem!

For more informations about BCI/EEG press here.

Annual BCI Award 2015 - 10 Projects nominated

BCI Award 2015 announced the 10 projects that have been nominated from the submissions received:

1. An ECoG-Based BCI on Auditory Attention to Natural Speech; 
2. Easy riders: BCI for enhancing driving experience; 
3. Sensorimotor Modulation Assessment and BCI Training with Auditory feedback; 
4. Brain-to-Text: Towards continuous speech as a paradigm for BCI; 
5. De-novo experience-based learning in rats interfaced with a "cerebellar chip"; 
6. Individual Finger Control of the Modular Prosthetic Limb; 
7. Restoration for the volitional motor function via an artificial neural connection; 
8. BCI Controlling Cyborg: A Functional Brain-to-Brain Interface between Human and Cockroach; 
9. A BCI to combat musculoskeletal pain; 
10. Increasing the useful lifespan of intracortical BCIs. 

For more information press here.

Call for Workshops - 6th International BCI

I give knowledge of an email I received from Jane Huggins, PhD, BCI Meeting Chair, about the 6^th International BCI Meeting calling for workshops.  

Up to 15 workshops will be held in each time slot and will be devoted to 3 hour workshops that will run concurrently. Each workshop will engage 10-40 participants and focus on a specific topic. Workshops can combine invited talks, targeted discussions, demonstrations, hands-on exercises and/or sharply focused debates as the leaders see fit. Workshop organization should include the participation of senior researchers to ensure proper coverage of the topic.

Researchers and/or practitioners wishing to organize workshops should submit an informal 5-line workshop description to workshops@meetings.bcisociety.org for pre-acceptance. These short descriptions will be screened to minimize topic overlaps and to join groups together.  

Main proposals should include:

• Workshop title
• Leader(s) Name(s) and Email(s) and short Bio(s)
• Description of the workshop topic and goals
• Detailed workshop timetable

Important dates deadlines:

• Proposal Pre-Submission: November 1 2015 
• Main Proposal Submission: December 1 2015

OpenBCI - 32 bit board kit

OpenBCI is a group of  researchers, engineers, scientists, designers, etc, that "shares a passion for harnessing the electrical signals of the human brain and body to further understand and expand who we are". 

OpenBCI stands for open-source brain-computer interface (BCI). with an hardware device that has a bio-sensing microcontroller that can sample electrical brain activity (EEG), muscle activity (EMG), heart rate (EKG).

The price of the new 32-bit Board Kit (chipKIT™-compatible) version is about $449,99. More infomation can be obtained in his forum.