The BR4IN.IO Hackathons

Abstract

BCI hackathons are fun, collaborative activities during which teams develop and implement new BCI designs and projects. BCI hackathons have often involved artistic expression, and have led to new headwear designs and BCI systems that let users paint, make music, or play games via thought alone. In the past few years, the number of BCI hackathons worldwide has increased considerably, and we expect this trend will continue. Here, we provide an overview of BCI hackathons, then review our BR4IN.IO hackathon series. We have hosted a dozen BR4IN.IO hackathons so far, which have included programming, design, flagship, and kids’ projects. At each BR4IN.IO hackathon, we provide hardware, software, and furni- ture for each team. Teams then have 24 intensive hours of hacking, then present their projects to a jury that decides on the winners. Like most other BCI hackathons, the BR4IN.IO hackathons have helped to teach thousands of new people about BCIs and related neurotechnologies while encouraging positive publicity for our field. In addi- tion to increasing in number, we believe that future BCI hackathons will also entail more advanced hardware and software for hackers, a broader range of devices, new cooperation with different professional entities, more publicity, greater integration with university courses, and other improvements.