Multi-command Tactile and Auditory Brain Computer Interface based on Head Position Stimulation

TL;DR

This paper explores a multimodal brain computer interface that uses vibrotactile stimuli on the head to evoke combined somatosensory and auditory responses, demonstrating its feasibility through online experiments and information transfer rate analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multimodal tactile and auditory BCI paradigm based on head position stimulation, combining somatosensory and bone conduction effects.

Findings

Validated the taBCI paradigm with online experiments.

Demonstrated effective information transfer rates.

Showed feasibility of using head-based vibrotactile stimuli for BCI.

Abstract

We study the extent to which vibrotactile stimuli delivered to the head of a subject can serve as a platform for a brain computer interface (BCI) paradigm. Six head positions are used to evoke combined somatosensory and auditory (via the bone conduction effect) brain responses, in order to define a multimodal tactile and auditory brain computer interface (taBCI). Experimental results of subjects performing online taBCI, using stimuli with a moderately fast inter-stimulus interval (ISI), validate the taBCI paradigm, while the feasibility of the concept is illuminated through information transfer rate case studies.