This presentation will cover the past, present and future of Brain-Computer Interfaces, as well as the basic fundamental principles, neurological, physiological, and technological, that facilitate non-tactile computer control. The presentation will include an active demonstration of physiological signal interpretation in a semi-artistic manner.
Twenty years ago, the graphical-user interface paradigm heralded the era of a computer on every desktop. Since that time, the mouse-and-keyboard combination has been the primary input method for personal computing. Such an input method requires a high level of manual dexterity, is often cumbersome to use in a mobile environment, and creates a high barrier to participation with regard to the physically challenged. Over the years, developments in Human-Computer interfaces have begun to address this issue through research into interpretation of physiological signals and applying them as control signals. Moreover, the marriage of artistic pursuits and physiological signal monitoring has led to an interesting array of experimental artworks. Existing systems, while expensive and cumbersome, point to the promise of lower-cost, minimally-invasive devices that will more directly bridge the gap between human and computer.