SS04: New and future advances in BCI-based Spellers
Ivan Volosyak
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Ricardo Ron Angevín
University of Málaga, Spain
Roberto Hornero
University of Valladolid, Spain
Abstract
A Brain-computer Interface (BCI) is based on the analysis of brain activity to provide a non-muscular channel for sending messages and commands to the external devices. A BCI emerged few decades ago as a new communication channel allowing subjects with severe neuromuscular disorders, who may be completely paralyzed or locked-in, to communicate and to interact with the outer world. Modern BCI technology has the potential of replacing, enhancing, and improving human interaction with the surroundings/environment, as well as enhancing digital life. Nevertheless, communication remains predominantly the main application area of modern BCIs during last years.
The main goal of this special session is to show the last research advances in BCI-based speller applications, as well as innovative signal processing algorithms, training techniques or paradigms that make these advances possible. The BCI special session is a traditional special session in IWANN conference, allowing different researchers in the BCI field to meet every two years.
Organizers
Dr. Ivan Volosyak received the Diploma in the field of automation and control of technical systems from the Dnepropetrovsk State University, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany, in 2005. He is currently a Professor for Biomedical Engineering at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kleve, Germany. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Automation, University of Bremen, and Project Manager of several national and the European Union projects carried out at the University of Bremen, Germany. From 2005 to 2008, he has held visiting positions at the Institute for Knowledge Discovery, Graz University of Technology, Austria, and at the Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering, Glasgow University, U.K. His research interests include brain-computer interfacing, signal processing, digital image processing, service robotics, and assistive technology with the primary focus on applications in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
Dr. Ricardo Ron-Angevin received the Engineer of Telecommunication and Ph.D. degrees from the University de Malaga, Spain, in 1994 and 2005, respectively. In 1995, he joined the Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicacion of Malaga, where he is a Full Professor with the Electronic Technology Department. He is a member of DIANA research group, Manager and Coordinator of the UMA-BCI group of the University of Málaga and Project Manager of several national projects. His research interests include the design of brain-computer interfaces and assistive technology.
Dr. Roberto Hornero is Full Professor in the Department of Signal Theory and Communications at University of Valladolid (Spain) and Director of the Biomedical Engineering Group at the University of Valladolid (GIB-UVa), whose research interests are connected with the field of Big Data in biomedical signals and medical images. He has opened different research lines in the field of biomedical signal processing: automatic processing of pulse oximetry and overnight polysomnography signals to help in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, EEG and MEG analysis to help in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, retinal image analysis to automatically detect lesions associated with Diabetic Retinopathy, and the development of Brain Computer Interface systems to improve the quality of life of disabled people. He is Fellow of the European Alliance of Medical and Biological Engineering and Science (EAMBES), Senior Member of IEEE Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMBS) and Vice-President of the Spanish Biomedical Engineering Society (SEIB).