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.

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.

Muse: the brain sensing headband.

Interaxon from Canada recently announced the launch of a new EEG reading device: MUSE (version 2). As the old version, it measures the electric activity produced by the brain searching for behavior patterns and identifying states of mind. Basically uses alpha waves (8-12Hz) to find if the person is calm and focused or when is wandering.

Muse is the mental equivalent of a treadmill, which helps you exercise your brain with focused attention training. It improves your attention by training you to become aware of your distractions quicker and react faster to regain focus on what you’re doing.

Connected to a Smartphone it will process the signals in real-time alerting you if get distracted and helping you catch to regain focus increasing the productive in your activity.

According to the company, the main advantages that this product offers are:

It motivates you to change your brain

Studies show that the focused-attention and mindfulness exercises upon which Muse is based can cause the brain to change itself, making it more resistant to distractions. Muse makes this process more motivating, fun and efficient.

It improves how you respond to stress

In the short-term, this training has been shown to trigger the natural relaxation response – a state of deep rest that changes the physiological and emotional responses to stress. Your metabolism decreases and your heartbeat slows. The muscles relax, breathing becomes slower, and blood pressure decreases.

It gives you a lasting feeling of self-control

Stress is thought of as a perceived lack of control or unpredictability, associated with impaired cognitive performance, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and many more negative effects. 

It can improve your emotional state

We often think of distraction as something external, like the sound of a nearby conversation. However, Muse’s feedback algorithms are tailored to respond to both external and internal distractions.

Extended use can have amazing and lasting results

A study showed that 20 minutes of focused attention training for 3 days in a row has been shown to reduce pain, reduce anxiety, improve mood, and reduce heart rate. 

It is designed to help you form the habit

Research has shown using an app and starting with 3-5 minutes can dramatically help you with mental exercises like meditation. Muse starts you with 3 minute sessions and rewards you for your achievements, making sure it’s easy and motivating to train with Muse.

Waitting to receive posts from people who have tested this new MUSE.

MUSE headband controler

MUSE is a flexible, adjustable, lightweight headband with 4 sensors - including two on the forehead and two behind the ears. It communicates over Bluetooth and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac OS, Windows and Linux. This is a new competitor to Emotiv or NeuroSky companies.

The Canadian startup InteraXon says that it's specially designed to work with a family of applications with exercises for brain health, fitness training, stress management, studying and many more. MUSE is expected to launch in 2013 and retail for around $200. 

Main features:

• Open communication standard to allow people to write their own device drivers;
• Rechargeable battery that lasts for 10 hours of use;
• The headband produces bipolar readings using AFz as the reference for AF3, AF4, TP9, TP10;  
• The 4-electrode montage enables estimation of hemispheric asymmetries;
• EEG signals are oversampled and bandpass filtered for noise reduction then downsampled to yield a selectable output sampling rate from 100 Hz to 600 Hz with 2uV (RMS) noise;
• Active noise suppression is achieved with a DRL - REF feedback configuration using centrally positioned frontal electrodes. 

In my opinion, using an equipment that reads EEG in real-time, when you are running or walking, will have a lots of "noise". I am very curious to see if InteraXon is able to overcome this big challenge.