Current trends in hardware and software for brain–computer interfaces (BCIs)

A brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a non-muscular communication channel to people with and without disabilities. BCI devices consist of hardware and software. BCI hardware records signals from the brain, either invasively or non-invasively, using a series of device components. BCI software th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neural engineering 2011-04, Vol.8 (2), p.025001-1-7
Main Authors: Brunner, P, Bianchi, L, Guger, C, Cincotti, F, Schalk, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofeedback, Psychology - instrumentation
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping - instrumentation
Brain Mapping - trends
Categories
Certification
Channels
Computer programs
Devices
Electroencephalography - instrumentation
Electroencephalography - trends
Equipment Design - trends
Equipment Failure Analysis
Hardware
Human-computer interface
Humans
Man-Machine Systems
Software
Software - trends
User-Computer Interface
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Summary:A brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a non-muscular communication channel to people with and without disabilities. BCI devices consist of hardware and software. BCI hardware records signals from the brain, either invasively or non-invasively, using a series of device components. BCI software then translates these signals into device output commands and provides feedback. One may categorize different types of BCI applications into the following four categories: basic research, clinical/translational research, consumer products, and emerging applications. These four categories use BCI hardware and software, but have different sets of requirements. For example, while basic research needs to explore a wide range of system configurations, and thus requires a wide range of hardware and software capabilities, applications in the other three categories may be designed for relatively narrow purposes and thus may only need a very limited subset of capabilities. This paper summarizes technical aspects for each of these four categories of BCI applications. The results indicate that BCI technology is in transition from isolated demonstrations to systematic research and commercial development. This process requires several multidisciplinary efforts, including the development of better integrated and more robust BCI hardware and software, the definition of standardized interfaces, and the development of certification, dissemination and reimbursement procedures.
ISSN:1741-2552
1741-2560
1741-2552
DOI:10.1088/1741-2560/8/2/025001