Brain Computer Interface for smart living environment

Abstract

Brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a pathway communication between human brain and computer system. Its main goal is to allow for non-muscular communication with external world, which may be the only way for patients in a locked-in state. In this paper, many approaches are studied where users healthy brain signals are recorded using electroencephalogram (EEG) and explored in order to be able to control some smart home appliances and a robotic arm for self-feeder to help disabled persons, who cannot move or talk, to live independently in a brain-controlled environment. Specifically, the Steady State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) brain response induced by visual stimulus is used to detect at which frequency the subject is exactly looking, and at this moment the software sends the corresponding request to move the robotic arm to the desired plate to feed himself. Also, a Wi-Fi-based smart home automation is introduced, where light intensity and fan speed are controlled automatically through the physiological state of the individual without any external stimuli, or voluntary through the SSVEP method. Finally, a comfortable way is proposed to let the user choose between two options by an EEG-based color recognition (red and blue colors).