Brain-machine interfaces for effortless interactions with virtual/augmented environments

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The objective of the project is to create a prototype Brain-Machine Interface (BMI), allowing experts to interact effortlessly with 3D objects within computer-based virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) environments. The key-enabler of the BMI is software algorithms, capable of identifying in real time characteristic features of brainwaves captured by a non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG). Underlying the identification is our unique adaptation of analytical reduced-order models, which predict dynamic unsteady-flow patterns in time and space. The prototype BMI serves as a proof-of-principle to highlight its design, implementation, and use for reducing cognitive workload to promote effortless user interactions. Once improved, the BMI is beneficial for Albertan and Canadian economy and society by catalyzing effective adoption of VR/AR environments for experts' actions in various applications - such as planning public safety (e.g., flood mitigation), boosting industrial competitiveness (e.g., reactor design and virtual prototyping), and innovating trustable human-machine interfaces (e.g., human-robot defense systems).