A LabVIEW Based Brain-Computer Interface Training Environment by Controlling Yoda Holograms Using Eye-Blinks According to an Interactive Game Framework

Abstract

The brain-computer interface is a multidisciplinary research field involving different scientific, professional, and entertainment areas. Thanks to the advancement of portable electroencephalography technology and the expansion of smart mobile devices, young researchers pursuing Master’s or Doctoral studies could develop various innovative applications straightforwardly. This paper presents a LabVIEW virtual instrument enabling a training environment for controlling Yoda holograms using the voluntary eye-blinks translated into binary codes by following the instructions shown to the display system according to an interactive game framework. The proposed LabVIEW application is a novel proof-of-concept for the brain-computer interface technology by integrating virtual instrumentation for designing the interactive LEDs-based display systems, versatile functionality of ThinkGear chip embedded by the NeuroSky portable headset, an Android application for showing Yoda holograms, and Bluetooth connectivity between laptop and smartphone. The current research work aims to provide an attractive training environment to experiment with the working principle underlying the brain-computer interface allowing people with neuromotor disabilities to control holograms by using voluntary eye blinks. Moreover, the developed software applications should encourage young researchers to get involved in challenging high-technology scientific fields by achieving creative, efficient, engaging, simple, and inexpensive simulations for experimentation and educational purpose in an entertaining manner.