A mobile phone-based brain machine interface

Value Proposition

A brain computer interface is a system that facilitates a direct communication pathway between a functional brain and peripheral electronic devices. The communication pathway may be used, for instance, to calibrate the movement in physically challenged individuals. A BCI system records brain signals from the surface of the cortex through signaling devices implanted within the brain or from sensors placed over the scalp. These signals may then be processed to command connected peripheral device to perform numerous tasks or receive environmental feedback. With the help of a BCI system, for example, paralyzed and handicapped individuals can overcome their physical challenges and perform various day-to-day tasks by controlling robotics and receiving sensory feedback. Numerous technological developments in the field of computation, human sensing, along with the application of BCI technology for entertainment, gaming, communication, and control are some of the major factors driving the growth of the BCI market.

Technology

Duke researchers have developed a comprehensive yet mobile brain machine interface (BMI) using a mobile device, such as a smartphone or touchpad, that can be used in applications such as movement training and controlling Bluetooth-enabled robots. This technology uses a BMI mobile application to process multi-channel brain signals from a Bluetooth headset to classify movements. The movement commands then control a computer avatar on the screen and a Bluetooth-enabled robot.