Brain-Computer Interface Race

BCI

About the Discipline

Controlling assistive devices by mind

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are a technology that enables direct communication between the human brain and a computer. BCI detect specific activation patterns in the brain and translate them into control signals suitable for interacting with computer-based processes. A person with tetraplegia or locked-in syndrome lives with paralysis of numerous muscles of the body. This means that they are not able to carry out many activities of daily living autonomously and are therefore highly dependent on the assistance of other people. BCI can be used as an assistive technology to autonomously steer a wheelchair, control a robotic manipulator, or use a smartphone. BCI technology has the promising potential to improve the autonomy and social participation of people with severe physical disabilities.

The competition tasks will require the ability to independently generate and control multiple discrete and, in the new period 2021 – 2024, also continuous control commands for a computer-based process, and thus drive a vehicle in an animated scenario. The competition tasks will require the ability to send control commands at predictable times (plannable) as well as in response to changes in the environment (unplannable).

Who can participate?

Pilots:

People who have complete or severe loss of motor function (i.e., paralysis) from the neck downwards due to a spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, neurological disease, or other trauma.

Technology:

Any mobile technology that allows the measurement of brain activity, such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrocorticography (ECOG), microelectrode arrays, near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), or magnetoencephalography (MEG) is permitted for participation, as is any other method of recording signals as long as it primarily measures brain activity.