Title: The development of EEG-based brain computer interfaces: potential and challenges

Authors: Song Xing; Ryan McCardle; Shane Xie

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand ' Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand ' Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Auckland, Private bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

Abstract: Brain computer interface (BCI) technology potentially opens the door to allowing our brain to influence the outside world without the use of muscles. This research concentrates on developing new augmentative communication and control technologies for those with severe neuromuscular disorders, such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Most BCIs decode the intent of the user from the brain's electrical activity as recorded from the scalp (electroencephalography, EEG). The EEG signal is very difficult to process, but many advances have been made to translate the signal into commands. At The University of Auckland, EEG-based BCIs have been under development for the past few years. Our laboratory has produced excellent results including an EEG controlled video game, an EEG phone dialing system, and an EEG active rehabilitation exercise. Research is ongoing in this area, with new projects starting for control of prostheses or rehabilitation robots in clinical trials.

Keywords: brain computer interface; BCI; electroencephalography; steady state VEP; visual evoked potentials; EEG; augmentative communication and control; neuromuscular disorders; strokes; spinal cord injuries; video games; phone dialling systems; rehabilitation exercises; prosthesis control; rehabilitation robots.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2014.063911

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2014 Vol.50 No.1/2, pp.84 - 98

Published online: 08 Apr 2015 *

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