VR & EEG Research

Virtual reality offers EEG research three things: high ecological validity, a fully controllable environment and experimental scenarios that are impossible in the real world. g.tec's wearable EEG systems can be used together with VR headsets (Oculus, HTC Vive, HoloLens).

The SOCI (Screen Overlay Control Interface) module in g.HIsys embeds BCI stimuli and feedback elements directly in VR applications built with Unity. P300, SSVEP and motor imagery paradigms run smoothly in VR, and the ready-made VR toolboxes can be set up within hours.

Integrated with Unity, g.tec's BCI system lets users control virtual avatars with mental commands. Controlling an avatar's movement in the virtual environment through the motor imagery paradigm lets patients with restricted movement be actively present in a virtual world.

In research on presence and embodiment, EEG objectively measures how far the user identifies with the avatar. In stroke rehabilitation, combining VR avatar feedback with motor imagery is producing promising results.

• Unity · SOCI · Motor Imagery

g.tec's BCI System environment includes three ready-made VR toolboxes. P300 Mastermind is a strategy game played in VR with the P300 paradigm. cVEP Space Traveller steers a virtual spacecraft with code-based BCI. SSVEP Smart Home controls a virtual smart home with the SSVEP paradigm.

Every toolbox comes ready in g.HIsys and can be customised in MATLAB/Simulink. Through the SOCI module, BCI stimuli and feedback are embedded directly in the Unity application, so the user completes the whole BCI experiment loop without taking off the VR headset.

• P300 Mastermind · cVEP Space Traveller · SSVEP Smart Home

VR offers neurorehabilitation a highly controllable and motivating environment. While patients repeat tasks in a safe virtual environment, an EEG motor imagery BCI monitors neural activity in real time and triggers feedback mechanisms such as FES (functional electrical stimulation).

Combining motor imagery with VR increases cortical plasticity and supports functional recovery.

• Motor Imagery · FES · VR rehabilitation

The Unity Game Interface of Unicorn Hybrid Black is a ready platform for building VR games controlled by brain activity. Motor imagery, P300 and SSVEP paradigms can be integrated directly into 2D and 3D game environments in Unity. Studies on emotional architecture and adaptive VR design are also run with Unicorn BCI Core-8.

At the crossroads of fashion and technology, projects such as Anouk Wipprecht's “Kitty Ears” use wearable EEG and VR control to inspire art and education. At g.tec's BCI & Unity Masterclass, researchers from around the world presented VR-based BCI applications live.

• Unity · Unicorn · BR41N.IO