Use of Force Feedback Device in a Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface Based on SSVEP, EOG and Eye Tracking for Sorting Items

Abstract

Research focused on signals derived from the human organism is becoming increasingly popular. In this field, a special role is played by brain-computer interfaces based on brainwaves. They are becoming increasingly popular due to the downsizing of EEG signal recording devices and ever-lower set prices. Unfortunately, such systems are substantially limited in terms of the number of generated commands. This especially applies to sets that are not medical devices. This article proposes a hybrid brain-computer system based on the Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP), EOG, eye tracking, and force feedback system. Such an expanded system eliminates many of the particular system shortcomings and provides much better results. The first part of the paper presents information on the methods applied in the hybrid brain-computer system. The presented system was tested in terms of the ability of the operator to place the robot’s tip to a designated position. A virtual model of an industrial robot was proposed, which was used in the testing. The tests were repeated on a real-life industrial robot. Positioning accuracy of system was verified with the feedback system both enabled and disabled. The results of tests conducted both on the model and on the real object clearly demonstrate that force feedback improves the positioning accuracy of the robot’s tip when controlled by the operator. In addition, the results for the model and the real-life industrial model are very similar. In the next stage, research was carried out on the possibility of sorting items using the BCI system. The research was carried out on a model and a real robot. The results show that it is possible to sort using bio signals from the human body.