Interested in Brain Computer Interfacing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kunal Aggarwal
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Brain Computer
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Brain-Computer Interfacing (BCI), particularly in the context of controlling prosthetics through thought. Participants explore foundational knowledge, recent advancements, and resources for further study, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of BCI technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in BCI and seeks recommendations for introductory books and prerequisite knowledge.
  • Another participant mentions that common devices like keyboards and mice can be considered forms of Brain-Computer interfaces, prompting questions about other modalities like VR headsets and EEG.
  • A participant specifically mentions interest in controlling prosthetics with thoughts and seeks information on recent work in this area.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of EEG for controlling prosthetics, with one participant noting that while there has been progress, traditional EEG signals are often jumbled and lack precise control.
  • A link to an article discussing recent advancements in prosthetics controlled by thought is shared, highlighting the use of motor nerves instead of EEG signals.
  • Another participant suggests starting with Google searches to find articles on controlling prosthetics with EEG, emphasizing the iterative nature of refining search terms for better results.
  • One participant mentions Theodore Berger's work on hippocampus prosthetics and suggests looking into his publicly available papers.
  • Another participant shares their experience with foundational texts in molecular biology and neuroscience, recommending additional study in math or physics for a well-rounded understanding.
  • A suggestion is made to search for 'nerve controlled prosthetics' to find relevant resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the reliability of EEG for controlling prosthetics, with some acknowledging its limitations while others point to ongoing research and potential future applications. No consensus is reached on the effectiveness of current BCI technologies.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of EEG signals and the challenges in achieving precise control over prosthetics. There is also mention of the evolving nature of research in this field, indicating that advancements may have occurred since previous evaluations.

Kunal Aggarwal
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Hello everyone I am new here so please forgive me if I am posting this question at wrong place.
I am pursuing Biomedical Engineering (2nd semester undergraduate). I am interested in Brain Computer Interfacing and want to study about it. So could anyone suggest me any good book to read that explains from basics. Also which prerequisite knowledge I should be having to understand about it well.
Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Kunal Aggarwal said:
Hello everyone I am new here so please forgive me if I am posting this question at wrong place.
I am pursuing Biomedical Engineering (2nd semester undergraduate). I am interested in Brain Computer Interfacing and want to study about it. So could anyone suggest me any good book to read that explains from basics. Also which prerequisite knowledge I should be having to understand about it well.
Thank you
Welcome to the PF.

Well, a keyboard is a Brain-Computer interface. So are a mouse and drawing tablet... :smile:

What other modalities do you have in mind? Virtual Reality headsets? EEG, PET scans, etc.?
 
Well I am basically interested in bionics.

So I want to study about how we can control a prosthetic just with our thoughts.

Thank you
 
Kunal Aggarwal said:
So I want to study about how we can control a prosthetic just with our thoughts.
EEG is not a very reliable way to control anything. There has been some work done on it, though. Do you have any links to the recent work?

I think there have been some other advances in controlling prosthetics -- are you aware of any such work? :smile:
 
Thank you for giving the link:smile:

No I don't know any links which gives information about recent work in this topic.

Also you are saying that EEG is not a reliable way for it but in last part of article what I can understand is that they are focusing on EEG technology to extract signals from brain
" In the future, researchers envision a kind of cap with sensors that an amputee or paralyzed person could wear that would feed information about brain activity to the robotic arm."
 
Kunal Aggarwal said:
" In the future, researchers envision a kind of cap with sensors that an amputee or paralyzed person could wear that would feed information about brain activity to the robotic arm."
They are wishing that it could work, but currently AFAIK, we are a long way from doing it. The information that you get via traditional EEG electrodes is very jumbled, with trends, but no great control by us. Through biofeedback training with EEG, you can gain some control over some of your brain rhythms, but nothing like "move right arm in" kind of resolution. The last time I looked at it was about 10 years ago, though, so maybe they've made more progress.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kunal Aggarwal
So could you suggest me any source to read from:smile:
 
Kunal Aggarwal said:
So could you suggest me any source to read from:smile:
Yeah, I would just start with some Google searches. I had good luck when I searched on controlling prosthetics with EEG. As you find articles close to what you want, you can modify your Google search terms to get more refined search results.
 
  • #10
berkeman said:
Yeah, I would just start with some Google searches. I had good luck when I searched on controlling prosthetics with EEG. As you find articles close to what you want, you can modify your Google search terms to get more refined search results.
Thanks a lot
 
  • #11
I have just started looking (in-depth) into this myself, and
Theodore Berger's hippocampus prosthetic (he is now the chief
science officer of a startup called Kernel) is interesting.
Theodore Berger has some publicly available papers.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kunal Aggarwal and berkeman
  • #12
I also am faced with the task of learning from basics.
I've enjoyed Alberts et al.'s Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Mark F.Bear et al.'s Neuroscience.
Since you are young,
some "extra gloss" on math or physics will not hurt you, as it will
always apply in some way, or your brain will be trained in some way.
Set a high
goal and the most efficient progression of study material (or
activities) will evolve.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
  • #13
A search on ' Nerve controlled prosthetics ' generates a large number of good hits .
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kunal Aggarwal and berkeman
  • #14
Thanks a lot everyone for telling me about books and search keywords:smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
941
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K