iScience (Apr 2024)

Visual tracking brain-computer interface

  • Changxing Huang,
  • Nanlin Shi,
  • Yining Miao,
  • Xiaogang Chen,
  • Yijun Wang,
  • Xiaorong Gao

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 4
p. 109376

Abstract

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Summary: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a way to interact with computers without relying on physical movements. Non-invasive electroencephalography-based visual BCIs, known for efficient speed and calibration ease, face limitations in continuous tasks due to discrete stimulus design and decoding methods. To achieve continuous control, we implemented a novel spatial encoding stimulus paradigm and devised a corresponding projection method to enable continuous modulation of decoded velocity. Subsequently, we conducted experiments involving 17 participants and achieved Fitt’s information transfer rate (ITR) of 0.55 bps for the fixed tracking task and 0.37 bps for the random tracking task. The proposed BCI with a high Fitt’s ITR was then integrated into two applications, including painting and gaming. In conclusion, this study proposed a visual BCI based-control method to go beyond discrete commands, allowing natural continuous control based on neural activity.

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