Non-contact Wearable EEG Sensors for SSVEP-based Brain Computer Interface Applications

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) offer communication potential for various users.
• Current EEG-based interfaces lack convenience for daily use, hindering widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a user-friendly EEG acquisition system for brain-computer interfaces (BCI).
• To enable non-contact recording of brain signals for enhanced convenience.

Main Methods:

• Development of a compact EEG acquisition hardware ($5.5\,\times 3\,\mathrm{cm}^{2}$) with four stainless steel electrodes.
• Integration of the hardware into a standard sports hat for unobtrusive wear.
• Utilized an in-house steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) paradigm to test the system.

Main Results:

• The non-contact EEG system successfully recorded brain signals, including SSVEP.
• Demonstrated ability to differentiate between distinct brain states: Eye Closed, Eye Open, and Visual Stimulation.
• Confirmed signal acquisition without specialized equipment or costly dry electrodes.

Conclusions:

• The developed hat-integrated EEG system provides a convenient and accessible solution for BCI applications.
• This non-contact approach overcomes limitations of traditional EEG setups, paving the way for broader BCI use.
• The system's effectiveness in recording SSVEP highlights its potential for real-world applications.