Basic components of a brain to computer interface system

Invasive system

• Microelectrodes are implanted in the part of the cerebral cortex involved in moving the target body part.
• Electrical brain waves from the microelectrodes are fed to a computer using code.
• Computer software converts input code to the 0s and 1s of binary code, the language of computers.
• Binary code interacts with an algorithm (i.e., a set of steps to follow) to produce waveforms on the computer screen that are the visual representation of the binary code
• When the desired result happens, a program is executed which activates a reward (food or drink, for an animal subject).
  • Output could be moving a robotic arm or exoskeleton.
  • Output could be moving a computer cursor.

Noninvasive System

What was different about the World Cup Walk Again exoskeleton?

• Implanted microelectrodes were replaced by a noninvasive EEG (electroencephalogram) cap
• A vest or shirt was developed to be a “skin” which would provide sensory feedback to the exoskeleton user.

Visit the next page to see an explanation of the year 2000 culmination of Duke University/MIT BCI research wherein an owl monkey at Duke University moved a robotic arm at MIT, 6-700 miles away, over the internet.