A team of researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have developed a portable EEG system powered by a Nokia N900 smartphone. In addition to the phone, the portable EEG also consists of a commercially available Emotive EPOC wireless EEG headset and specially designed app.
The system allows the user to view a 3D model of the brain that is highlighted in various colors as brainwaves are detected. The model of the brain can be rotated by swiping the smartphone’s touchscreen. Users can also display pictures and videos of specific objects on the smartphone’s screen to see how the brain responds. The system’s portability allows multiple users to monitor their EEG signals while working collaboratively on a task. Finally, if needed, the system can also be connected to a more powerful computer for more intensive, quantitative calculations and analysis.
While the smartphone EEG will likely not replace more powerful, dedicated EEG systems, the portable system could save patients time and money by allowing them to undergo testing at their homes. Moreover, the system could allow researchers to study brain activity in more natural environments, such as the home or workplace.
Here’s a video demonstrating the smartphone EEG system:
More info from DTU milab: Smartphone Brain Scanner
(HT: New Scientist)