Brain Computer Interfaced Game Controller

Abstract

It has been known since long that the neuron cells in the brain produce quantifiable and measurable electrical signals. Electroencephalography (EEG) refers to the measurement and recording of these electrical signals by using sensors exhibited over the scalp. EEG technology has been widely used in the medical field and is being researched to provide assistance to the handicapped individuals allowing them control over devices through brain signals. EEG signals and measurements have also been used as input to control computers. The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems find applications in prosthetic devices, military and defense applications, gaming, virtual reality, robotic control and many more. Despite significant research on exploiting brain signals for these applications, such systems face a number of challenges including weak signal, delays between thoughts, problems in extracting discriminant features, correct action selection, correct action execution, similarity between signals generated by discriminant thoughts and the high cost of associated hardware. This project is aimed at developing a BCI system to control a game, a small step in the emerging field of Neuro-Gaming. We have employed the EEG device called Emotiv EPOC which is a head-mounted hardware that senses EEG signals which can be acquired through the accompanying API. The Emotiv API is interfaced with a game that utilizes on different types of actions including gestures, moods and thoughts. Using action and expression based controls, the developed system successfully provides game control through brain signals. i