Dean J Krusienski PhD (short bio)

Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

DI Katrin Mayr BSc (short bio)

g.tec medical engineering GmbH, USA

Angela Natalizio MSc (short bio)

Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Objectives:

Ultra High-Density electrodes (up to 1048 channels) can open new opportunities in BCI applications. The detection of individual finger movements, as well as complex EMG detection on a stump, increases the degrees of freedom to control external devices or interact in immersive game environments. Hence, we will talk about how Gaming can reach new users and how game developers get access to new plug and play BCI solutions without the need to program complicated real-time processing.

On the other hand, low density EEG is used in passive BCI’s where the brain activity is not voluntarily modulated by the user. While the users can perform their daily activities, a system records changes in their cognitive state (e.g. engagement) and adapts to the user’s mental state. For a video game for example that would mean, depending on the player’s level of engagement the speed changes or more/less obstacles are presented.

Low density EEG also allows the integration of another dimension in the form of functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) where changes in the oxygenation level and hemodynamics of the brain indicate more active brain regions. Simultaneous recording of both signal types is highly beneficial, as you receive complimentary information – high temporal resolution from EEG and long-lasting changes for fNIRS.

Content:

This workshop will present novel techniques of Brain-Computer Interfaces and allow spectators to try out several applications in a Hands-On Session. Further participants will be able to understand a wide range of applications possible with different types of BCI’s.

Main content:

• insights into recent hardware (wireless/non-wireless) for BCI research
• insights into the software for BCI research enabling participants to run their own experiments
• giving participants the chance to analyze their BCI performance
• demonstrations of applications
• discussing advantages/disadvantages of dry/wet sensors
• discussing non-invasive and invasive BCI approaches

Target Audience:

The goal of the tutorial is to bring together researchers and interested attendees, to describe and demonstrate the options available in the field of Brain-Computer Interfaces. We will highlight the usability and reliability of BCI control, which now allows the development and displaying of more advanced applications. We think that such a tutorial will be very appealing to audience members working in the area of HCI combining different modalities for interactions.

Additional platform or tool(s) to be used by the tutors:

Zoom for remote attendees, neurofeedback application for passive BCI experiments, g.tec software (g.tec Suite, g.HIsys, Unicorn Suite)

List of material or devices required by the in-person and/or the virtual participants to have with them:

Notebook and pen or a laptop.