Virtual reality hardware and graphic display options for brain–machine interfaces

Virtual reality hardware and graphic displays are reviewed here as a development environment for brain–machine interfaces (BMIs). Two desktop stereoscopic monitors and one 2D monitor were compared in a visual depth discrimination task and in a 3D target-matching task where able-bodied individuals us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroscience methods 2008-01, Vol.167 (1), p.2-14
Main Authors: Marathe, Amar R., Carey, Holle L., Taylor, Dawn M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain - physiopathology
Brain–computer interface (BCI)
Brain–machine interface (BMI)
Computer Graphics
Computer Simulation
Depth Perception - physiology
Discrimination, Psychological - physiology
Hand
Humans
Motor control
Movement - physiology
Neuroprosthesis
Psychomotor Performance
Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology
Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy
Stereoscopic viewing
User-Computer Interface
Virtual reality
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Summary:Virtual reality hardware and graphic displays are reviewed here as a development environment for brain–machine interfaces (BMIs). Two desktop stereoscopic monitors and one 2D monitor were compared in a visual depth discrimination task and in a 3D target-matching task where able-bodied individuals used actual hand movements to match a virtual hand to different target hands. Three graphic representations of the hand were compared: a plain sphere, a sphere attached to the fingertip of a realistic hand and arm, and a stylized pacman-like hand. Several subjects had great difficulty using either stereo monitor for depth perception when perspective size cues were removed. A mismatch in stereo and size cues generated inappropriate depth illusions. This phenomenon has implications for choosing target and virtual hand sizes in BMI experiments. Target-matching accuracy was about as good with the 2D monitor as with either 3D monitor. However, users achieved this accuracy by exploring the boundaries of the hand in the target with carefully controlled movements. This method of determining relative depth may not be possible in BMI experiments if movement control is more limited. Intuitive depth cues, such as including a virtual arm, can significantly improve depth perception accuracy with or without stereo viewing.
ISSN:0165-0270
1872-678X
DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.09.025