Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) provide an alternative communication channel that bypasses all muscular functions by directly decoding brain activity. When using electroencephalography (EEG) to acquire brain signals, they are non-invasive, affordable and safe. Having originally been designed as a communication tool for patients with severe physical disabilities, e.g. paraplegia or locked-in state, the application areas have grown in recent years. Our research follows a two fold approach. Firstly, we aim at improving the reliability and the communication speed of the systems. Furthermore, we investigate the usage of BCI as a research tool, in particular to study human-machine and human-robot interaction in more real-world like settings. To this end, BCI allows to investigate cognitive processes during the interaction, in almost real time and without having to rely solely on group-level data.
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We offer a 5 LP module "Brain-Machine Interfaces" each winter semester. In this lecture and the accompanying hands-on workshop, we give an introduction into the highly interdisciplininary research field of brain-machine interface. The module description can be found here.
For a long time Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) had been destined to act as pur spelling devices which enabled paralyzed people to communicate by mere thought. Our current projects aim to extend the scope of these devices and develop novel techniques for brain-robot interaction. A successful application of BCIs to robotic devices will have the tremendous advantage that the users will not be limited to pure communication tasks but also be able to manipulate their surrounding directly by only imagining actions.
Do you prefer audio books over printed ones, and if so, what is the advantage? Why is video conferencing so awkward? Why do you rely on SMS messages as a means of communication in some situations but on e-mailing in others? Did you ever notice that you raise your eyebrows when asking people a question – even on the telephone? And did you ever wonder how to make your point in a discussion most convincingly?
For a long time Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) had been destined to act as pur spelling devices which enabled paralyzed people to communicate by mere thought. Our current projects aim to extend the scope of these devices and develop novel techniques for brain-robot interaction. A successful application of BCIs to robotic devices will have the tremendous advantage that the users will not be limited to pure communication tasks but also be able to manipulate their surrounding directly by only imagining actions.