In just over a week we’ll be presenting at TEDxSan Diego, followed by a keynote speech and demo in Paris at the annual Le Web. As we wrap up our Thanksgiving ‘Free Tee’ promotion, we’re also getting ready to announce a special winter Holiday treat. In the meantime, here are some of our favorite stories and highlights, from this week, in the world of brain computer interfaces
1// Typing Full Words with Future BCIs
A new BCI speller is being developer to allow users to perform sequential movements more naturally. This could include typing full words, not just one letter at a time, as compared to current BCI spellers. Neuorgadget, quoting Nature Neuroscience, reported that
“Development of this new BMI implies that it may be possible, in principle, for patients to plan and perform sequential movements as they would do naturally, for example typing the full planned series of letters in a word”.
Currently, the prototype BCI speller has 50-80% accuracy in case studies. However, it shows promising signs of being able to decode movements associated with real-time processing of information in the brain.
2// Team in China Translates Brainwaves Into Music
Researchers have long experimented with EEG as a means to create art. Recently a team in China combined EEG and fMRI to create music that resembles those of human compositions.
The researchers incorporated fMRI data for the first time, which they found allowed them to better mimic the changing intensity of human compositions. Wired UK reported on this, writing:
“The addition of the fMRI information to the composition process is of interest because it records information relating to brain cell energy consumption and neural activity meaning the generated music is also a sonic representation of the subject’s mental state.”
3// A Great Presentation on Non-Verbal BCI
Have you ever wanted a quick breakdown of the difference between invasive and non-invasive BCIs, but didn’t know where to find it? Look no further. A team of researchers lead by Dr. Anupam Agarwal put together a presentation this month on exactly that, and have shared it online on Slide Share. Take a look:
4// Indiegogo Recap
We passed our funding goal for Muse this week, with 13 days left to go in our campaign. Here’s just a few of the awesome things people are saying online about our new brainwave sensing headband:
“Wow – while many people have talked about miniature EEG devices, it looks like you guys have just gone out and done it. Impressive. and connecting with the devices we all have in our pockets anyway – brilliant!” – Graham
“Know your brain, shape your brain, shape the world! Can’t wait to get my MUSE on!” – Ursula
“This is the coolest.…revolutionary! Human innovation at it’s best. What else can I say? You guys are wild. Never stop!” – Evan
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The InteraXon news roundup is published weekly, every Sunday night, to recap trends and breaking news in the world of brain computer interfaces and thought controlled computing. Do you have a story you’d like to submit or share? Contact us at info@interaxon.ca (subject line “News Story”) or leave a comment here.
