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Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation pp 19–33Cite as

Brain–Machine Interfaces for Persons with Disabilities

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Abstract

The brain–machine interface (BMI) or brain–computer interface (BCI) is a new interface technology that utilizes neurophysiological signals from the brain to control external machines or computers. We used electroencephalography signals in a BMI system that enables environmental control and communication using the P300 paradigm, which presents a selection of icons arranged in a matrix. The subject focuses attention on one of the flickering icons in the matrix as a target. We also prepared a green/blue flicker matrix because this color combination is considered the safest chromatic combination for patients with photosensitive epilepsy. We showed that the green/blue flicker matrix was associated with a better subjective feeling of comfort than was the white/gray flicker matrix, and we also found that the green/blue flicker matrix was associated with better performance. We further added augmented reality (AR) to make an AR-BMI system, in which the user’s brain signals controlled an agent robot and operated devices in the robot’s environment. Thus, the user’s thoughts became reality through the robot’s eyes, enabling the augmentation of real environments outside of the human body. Studies along these lines may provide ­useful information to expand the range of activities in persons with disabilities.

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Acknowledgements

These studies were conducted with the NRCD post-doctoral fellows Drs. Kouji Takano, Tomoaki Komatsu, Shiro Ikegami, and Naoki Hata. I thank Dr. Günter Edlinger for his help, and Drs. Yasoichi Nakajima and Motoi Suwa for their continuous encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute of National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD), 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8555, Japan

    Kenji Kansaku

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  1. Kenji Kansaku
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Correspondence to Kenji Kansaku .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Systems Neuroscience Section Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute of National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD), 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8555, Japan

    Kenji Kansaku (Chief) (Chief)

  2. Human Cortical Physiology and Stroke Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1430, USA

    Leonardo G. Cohen (Chief) (Chief)

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© 2011 Springer

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Kansaku, K. (2011). Brain–Machine Interfaces for Persons with Disabilities. In: Kansaku, K., Cohen, L.G. (eds) Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54008-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54008-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-53998-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-54008-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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