A team of Spanish scientists from the University of Valladolid has developed a brain-computer interface based on encephalograms (EEG) that allows 22 users to play a simple multiplayer video game. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (FHN).
The program converted players’ thoughts into commands with 94% accuracy, with each move taking just over five seconds.
Brain-computer interfaces work by detecting and interpreting nerve signals, usually through electrodes placed on the user’s head. These signals are then converted into actionable commands that allow people to control computers, devices, or applications using their thoughts.
A promising approach to developing more efficient brain-computer interfaces is the use of co-modulated visual evoked potentials. Co-modulated visual evoked potentials (c-VEP) are a type of brain-computer interface technology that uses visual stimuli with specific codes to trigger different neural responses in the brain.
The study’s authors decided to design, develop, and evaluate a multiplayer video game that would use c-VEPs.
They created a game show called “Connect 4,” reminiscent of “tic-tac-toe.” In this game, two players must take turns throwing colored discs onto the squares of a vertical board and try to be the first to form a line of four objects vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
The scientists placed eight electrodes at different points on each participant’s head and used Bluetooth to connect the EEG system to the computer running the game. It took them less than a minute to calibrate the system for a specific user.
Results showed that participants’ accuracy in translating intentions into game actions ranged from 91% to 95%, with the overall average across all tasks being 94%. The system performed approximately 11 movements per minute; That’s just over five seconds per action. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the game, praising its intuitiveness, ease of learning, and fast response time.
Despite its effectiveness, this system is not yet suitable for mass application, because to use it people need to apply a special conductive gel on their heads for the electrodes to work correctly.
Previous scientists was created A helmet that allows you to control robots with the power of thought.