ANIMA: Non-conventional brain-computer interfaces in robot control through electroencephalography and electrooculography, ARP module

Abstract

ANIMA has as a primary objective to compare three non-conventional human computer interfaces that comply with the industrial robot ST Robotics R-17 instructions. This module, Alpha Waves Related Potentials -ARP- explains how brain waves are obtained, processed, analyzed and identified depending on their frequency. This module makes use of the Open EEG Project's open hardware monitor for brain wave activity, called the modular EEG. The brain waves are obtained through an electrode cap complying with the international 10-20 system for electrode positioning. The brain waves are processed with a fast Fourier transform using a micro-controller and analyzed in software identifying the alpha wave's contribution. A program identifies the amount of time that alpha wave generation was maintained through concentration, and instructions are sent to the robotic arm, executing one of four pre-defined routines. Thirty percent of the users attained control over the robotic arm with the human computer interface. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.