Honda
Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of Honda R&D
Co., Ltd., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International
(ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have collaboratively developed the
world’s first Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technology that uses
electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) along
with newly developed information extraction technology to enable control
of a robot by human thought alone. It does not require any physical
movement such as pressing buttons. This technology will be further
developed for the application to human-friendly products in the future
by integrating it with intelligent technologies and/or robotic
technologies.
During the human thought process, slight electrical current and blood
flow change occur in the brain. The most important factor in the
development of the BMI technology is the accuracy of measuring and
analyzing these changes. The newly developed BMI technology uses EEG,
which measures changes in electrical potential on the scalp, and NIRS,
which measures changes in cerebral blood flow, with a newly developed
information extraction technology which enables statistical processing
of the complex information from these two types of sensors. As a result,
it became possible to distinguish brain activities with high precision
without any physical motion, but just human thought alone.
The BMI technology announced by HRI-JP and ATR in 2006 used a functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner to measure brain activities.
The large size and powerful magnetic field generated by the fMRI scanner
limited the locations and conditions where it can be used. As the newly
developed measuring device uses EEG and NIRS sensors, it can be
transported to and used in various locations.
Test procedures for experiments with the new BMI
First, EEG and NIRS sensors are placed on the head of the user. Then,
one of four pre-determined body part options is provided to the user.
The user imagines moving that body part without making any physical
movement. Changes in both brain waves and cerebral blood flow triggered
by the brain activity are measured simultaneously. The data obtained are
analyzed on a real-time basis to distinguish what the user imagined.
Upon receiving the result, Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot makes
corresponding movements such as raising its arm or leg. The world’s
highest level accuracy rate of more than 90% was achieved in the tests.
Since 2005, Honda and ATR have been conducting research and development
of BMI technology exploring the potential of a new interface which
connects people and machines. Honda is looking into the possibility of
applying this technology to a people-friendly human interface through
integration with other technologies such as artificial intelligence
technologies and/or robotics technologies. In May 2006, Honda and ATR
successfully developed a BMI technology which utilizes a fMRI scanner
and achieved the first success in the world to control a robot hand by
decoding brain activities without electrode array implants or special
training of the user.
About BMI
While conventional machine-interface uses devices such as switches which
need to be operated by a user’s hands or feet, BMI uses brain activity
data measured by various devices and enables non-contact control of the
machines (such as robots). Invasive BMI, which is widely studied by U.S.
and European researchers, requires the surgical implant of electrode
arrays, whereas non-invasive BMI uses sensors touching the user’s scalp.
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Honda
David Iida, 310-781-5542
david_iida@ahm.honda.com
