ABSTRACT
166To facilitate wider adoption of brain–computer interface (BCI), we need ergonomic and user-friendly BCI solutions that provide high-quality brain signal acquisition and robust and reliable information extraction. Such BCI solutions require addressing all aspects of the design and development for the targeted application, including sensor and electronics design, headset integration and ergonomics, data acquisition, signal cleaning and analysis, extraction of meaningful information, intuitive user interfaces, and effective information communication methods. These aspects are addressed through the analysis of three use cases, all having in common practical electroencephalogram (EEG)-based BCI able to achieve reliable real-time interaction in ecological, real-life scenarios. The use cases include using a four-channel dry electrode EEG solution to control a toy car based on motor imagery BCI, transforming jugglers’ brain activity into a sonic experience for the audience, and monitoring the cognitive state of a child during gaming/training. Special attention is given to improving the experience of a user (e.g., using flexible electrodes, ergonomic headsets, seamless feedback methods) and to approaches that allow for best possible signal quality (e.g., using active electrodes, careful system integration, optimal signal conditioning methods). Critical overview of existing solutions is given, speculating how they can be improved such that we could see BCI solutions as essential components of future products not only in gaming and arts performance but also in medical fields.
