Monday, March 12, 2007
The First Commercially Available Brain Computer Interface
Filed under: in the news...
We always love hearing those three little words: "Brain-Computer Interface." A German company, gTec, is bridging the gap between research and production in this field with their new "Pocket BCI".
The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) provides a new communication channel between the human brain and the computer. Mental activity leads to changes of electrophysiological signals like the Electroencephalogram (EEG) or Electrocorticogram (ECoG). The BCI system detects such changes and transforms it into a control signal which can, for example, be used as spelling device or to control a cursor on the computer monitor. One of the main goals is to enable completely paralyzed patients (locked-in syndrome) to communicate with their environment.What is Pocket BCI
Based on the mobile data acquisition system g.MOBIlab - the "Pocket BCI", i.e. a Brain-Computer Interface on the Pocket PC is now available.A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) converts brain signals into outputs that communicate a user's intent. Such a new communication channel does not rely on pheripheral nerves or muscles but on brain activity only.
Basic research in the field of Brain-Computer Interface started in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Nowadays BCI research teams can be found in all continents and the field of BCI research is still growing. Sophisticated BCI approaches have been introduced by several research teams (see also g.BCIsys).
However, BCI experiments are still mostly done in laboratory environment.
The "Pocket BCI" supports bridging the gap between laboratory experiment and practical applications. The portable g.MOBIlab can be easily installed in a subject's home or on a wheel chair. Standard BCI application like spelling devices can be integrated via an Application Programming
Product Page . . .
(hat tip: Gizmag)
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