The i of BCIs: Next generation interfaces for brain-computer interface systems that adapt to individual users

Abstract

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have advanced rapidly in the last several years, and can now provide many useful command and control features to a wide variety of users-if an expert is available to find, assemble, setup, configure, and maintain the BCI. Developing BCI systems that are practical for nonexperts remains a major challenge, and is the principal focus of the EU BRAIN project and other work. This paper describes five challenges in BCI interface development, and how they might be addressed with a hypothetical easy BCI system called EZBCI. EZBCI requires a new interface that is natural, intuitive, and easy to configure without expert help. Finally, two true scenarios with severely disabled users highlight the impact that EZBCI would have on users' lives. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.