Real-World Non-Invasive BCI Breakthrough Signals a New Era

Neurogaming, or playing games by using just your mind, is not new. In certain cases, surgery is required to implant a chip into an individual’s brain. However, research and tests are continuously being done on non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), usually with the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) caps. While traditional non-invasive BCIs were once limited to basic tasks like controlling a computer cursor, the INSIDE Institute for NeuroAI has taken the use of non-invasive BCIs out of the lab and into the real world.

BCI in action

There are two classifications of BCIs: invasive and non-invasive. Invasive BCIs involve placing implants inside the brain through surgery. This could result in accurate brain signals, but it also comes with higher health risks and ethical concerns. Meanwhile, a non-invasive approach relies on external devices like EEG sensors to monitor brain activity without penetrating the skull.

One of the more recent displays of non-invasive BCIs was during the National Amateur Chinese Chess Championship last year, wherein players controlled chess pieces with their brainwaves. Players who had no prior BCI experience wore EEG headsets during the live event. Devices like keyboards or mice were not used during the demonstration. As a result, the event was a breakthrough in demonstrating how BCIs can perform reliably in real-world settings.

The study also tested BCIs in two very different types of games: chess with its strategic decision-making and action games which require fast and continuous control. The results showed that BCIs could handle both types of tasks well, even with participants who had disabilities like muscular dystrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia. This makes gaming more inclusive and adaptive to its consumers.

Future of BCIs

Non-invasive BCI technology is consistently advancing, offering great potential not just in the gaming industry. Its ease of use and minimal resource requirements make it more of an accessible solution for a wide range of users. Integration with AI and an advanced healthcare system could assist people with motor function issues or those recovering from nervous system injuries.

YouTube: A Highlight Moment for BCI—-The World’s First Live BCI Game Match

Photo Credit: The feature image is symbolic INSIDE Institute for NeuroAI

Sources: Rich Pelley (The Guardian) / PR Newswire / Bradley J. Edelman, et al. (National Library of Medicine) / Frederico Caiado and Arkadiy Ukolov (ScienceDirect)