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Consumer brain–computer interfaces

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Overview

There are various brain-computer interface devices available on the consumer market that generally use an electroencephalography (EEG) headset that picks up EEG signals, a processor that cleans up and amplifies the signals, and converts them into desired signals, and some kind of output device.[1]

As of 2012, EEG headsets ranged from simple dry single-contact devices to more elaborate 16-contact, wetted contacts, and output devices included toys like a tube containing a fan that blows harder or softer depending on how hard the user concentrates which in turn moved a ping-pong ball, video games, or a video display of the EEG signal.[1][2]

Companies developing products in the space have taken different approaches.

Neurosky grew out of work in academic lab in Korea in the early 2000s; the team used an EEG headset to control the speed of a remote-controlled car and their device also used Eye tracking to control the direction the car moved.[3] The scientists initially intended to establish a company that would develop and sell toys, but when the company was founded in Silicon Valley, it focused mostly on providing devices and software to other companies as an OEM.[3] In 2010 the company released a product called Mindwave with one contact, a processor, an application (and a mobile app) that could display the EEG signal, and several games and other apps; the included an API so developers could create new apps using the data.[3]

In 2007 the Canadian scientist Ariel Garten formed InteraXon with Trevor Coleman and Chris Aimone to commercialize her research on brain-computer interfaces, with an initial focus on output devices that could do practical tasks like turn off lights, control audio devices, or move objects.[3] The company released a headset and processor called Muse with seven electrodes, with an app and an API.[3]

In the 2010s French scientists Yohan Attal and Thibaud Dumas founded myBrain to commercialize their research, and worked with the Brain and Spine Institute (ICM) in Paris to create an EEG headset called melomind with four electrodes, with an app for stress management.[3]

Around the same time OpenBCI was founded by Joel Murphy to create an open source set of devices, processors, and software aimed at biohackers and researchers that incorporates other sensors along with EEG electrodes.[3]

Comparison

Device Electrodes ADC bits Sensors Interpret: Peripheral SDK Released Producer Interface Notes
Aurora Dream Headband 1 8 frontal EEG/EOG sensor, open SDK, embedded 4-stage sleep tracking, 2 LEDs near the eyes Yes Yes July 2015 iwinks Bluetooth Low Energy / USB / SD Card Consumer Sleep Device
Melon Headband 4 ? L+R hemisphere prefrontal EEG Yes Nov 2014 Melon Bluetooth Low Energy A headband and mobile app to measure focus
iFocusBand 1 ? 8 mental states, facial tension, eye movement & quiet eye [4] Yes Yes October 2014 iFocusBand Bluetooth Soft woven sensors, audio feedback.
MindWave 1[5] 12 2 mental states (based on 4 brainwaves), eyeblinks[6] Yes Yes[7][8] 21 March 2011; 14 years ago NeuroSky
Mindflex (Uses NeuroSky chips) 1[9] 12 1 mental state No No 21 December 2009; 15 years ago Mattel (Neurosky partner[9]
Emotiv EPOC+ 14[10] 16 3 mental states (based on brainwaves), 13 conscious thoughts, facial expressions, head movements (sensed by 2 gyros)[11] Yes Yes[12][13] 21 December 2009; 15 years ago Emotiv
Emotiv Insight 5[14] 14 Yes Yes August 2015; 9 years ago Emotiv Bluetooth 4.0 LE.[14]
Star Wars Force Trainer (based on NeuroSky chips) 1 [9] 12 1 mental state No No 21 June 2009; 16 years ago Uncle Milton (Neurosky partner[9] Discontinued
MindSet 1[15] 12 2 mental states (based on 4 brainwaves), eyeblinks[6] Yes Yes[16] March 2007; 18 years ago NeuroSky
Mindball 1[17] ? 1 mental state No No 21 March 2003; 22 years ago Interactive Productline
XWave headset (uses NeuroSky chips) 1 12 8 EEG bands Yes Yes 5 January 2011; 14 years ago (Windows and iOS apps available now, Android app available soon[18]) PLX Devices Bluetooth Designed to look like a normal sports headband, no longer available
XWave Sonic (uses NeuroSky chips) 1 12 ? ? ? iOS apps available now PLX Devices Bluetooth Discontinued
MyndPlay BrainBand (Uses NeuroSky chips [19]) 1 12 8 EEG bands Yes Yes 1 December 2011; 13 years ago MyndPlay Bluetooth Soft headband, uses conductive gel for ear-clip
Muse 4 16 7 sensors; 5 front (2 active, 2 DRL, 1 reference), 2 active behind ears [20] ? Yes Shipped April 2014 InteraXon Bluetooth Comes with brain training app designed to reduce stress and improve focus.[21]
OpenBCI Ganglion Board 4 24 EEG, EMG, EKG, and accelerometer data Yes Yes Funded via Kickstarter in late 2015. Slated to by shipped to backers in Summer 2016. OpenBCI Bluetooth 4.0 Compatible with all existing OpenBCI gear and accessories.
OpenBCI 32bit Board 8 24 EEG, EMG, EKG, and accelerometer data Yes Yes Shipped to general public Dec 2014 OpenBCI Bluetooth 4.0 Open hardware project. OpenBCI originated under a DARPA solicitation and then became a company after being funded on Kickstarter.
OpenBCI R&D Kit 16 24 EEG, EMG, EKG, and accelerometer data Yes Yes Shipped to general public Dec 2014 OpenBCI Bluetooth 4.0 Open hardware project. The 16-channel R&D setup consists of a 32bit Board and an 8-channel extension shield, known as the "Daisy" board.
BrainLink Pro 3(EEG, GND, REF) 12 2 mental states (based on 4 brainwaves), eyeblinks Yes Yes 2014 Macrotellect Bluetooth
BrainLink Lite 3(EEG,GND,REF) 12 2 mental states (based on 4 brainwaves), eyeblinks Yes Yes 2015 Macrotellect Bluetooth Provide sport cap and yoga headband accessories[22]
Focus EEG Dev Kit 8 (GND, REF) 24 EEG, EMG, EOG, Bias, 6 axis inertial. Yes Yes 2017 foc.us[23] Wi-Fi 8 active or 6 active+ 2 bio. Also includes tES stimulation modes.

Technology

All of the devices listed use electroencephalography except the Neural Impulse Actuator which only uses electromyography. Some use both electroencephalography and electromyography, such as the BrainBand MindWave, EPOC, and MindSet.

The OpenBCI board can acquire electroencephalography (EEG, electrical activity of the brain), as well as electromyography (EMG, electrical activity of skeletal muscles), and electrocardiography (ECG or EKG, electrical activity of the heart) data.

References

  1. ^ a b Pogue, David (December 1, 2012). "6 Electronic Devices You Can Control with Your Thoughts". Scientific American.
  2. ^ Kent, James (25 May 2010). "Porting Digital Memory - h+ Media". h+ Media.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Genuth, Iddo (18 May 2015). "Brain computer interfaces bring neuroscience to the masses". E&T magazine.
  4. ^ "How many sensors does the iFocusBand have?".
  5. ^ "MindWave". Store.neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  6. ^ a b "NeuroSky Technology". Company.neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  7. ^ "NeuroSky Do It Yourself". Neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  8. ^ NeuroSky Developers open source SDK
  9. ^ a b c d "Neurosky Partners". Neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  10. ^ "Emotiv headset". Emotiv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  11. ^ "Emotive Official Website". Emotiv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  12. ^ "Emotiv SDK". Emotiv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  13. ^ Emokit open source SDK
  14. ^ a b "Emotiv Insight product sheet" (PDF).
  15. ^ "NeuroSky MindSet". Neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  16. ^ "NeuroSky Developer". Developer.neurosky.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  17. ^ "Mindball Accessories". Mindball.se. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  18. ^ "Products | PLX Devices Inc - USA". Plxwave.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  19. ^ "MyndPlay Ltd".
  20. ^ "How many sensors does the Muse have?".
  21. ^ "MUSE ™ - Meditation Made Easy". Muse: the brain sensing headband.
  22. ^ "BrainLink by Macrotellect | Healthy Brainwaves for Everyone". BrainLink Official Website. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  23. ^ "focus EEG Dev Kit (includes tDCS)". foc.us. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
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