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- Neuro interest: Brain activity reader for VR will prepare space tourists
Neuro interest: Brain activity reader for VR will prepare space tourists
In Russia, they have created a device that works in conjunction with a helmet to read the electrical signals of the brain. The device makes it possible to monitor a person's condition during their stay in the virtual world, as well as study their reaction to incoming stimuli. It measures stress, concentration, attention, fatigue, etc. This equipment will help create safe VR devices for patient rehabilitation, exercise equipment and a gaming headset.
How to see a person's reaction to the events of the virtual world
The first neurointerface in Russia that evaluates the state of the brain directly during a virtual reality session has been developed by scientists from Penza State University. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation told Izvestia about this. The device is a compact device that fits in the palm of your hand. It works in tandem with a VR virtual reality helmet and synchronously reads electroencephalography, the electrical signals of the brain.
While a person is immersed in the digital world, the system monitors his stress, concentration, fatigue and other parameters related to the work of the central nervous system. At this time, the specialist who monitors the session receives the data in an easy-to-read form and, depending on them, can adapt the virtual environment to the user's reactions. The development paves the way for the creation of secure and intelligent VR systems. A certificate of state registration has been obtained for the invention.
Izvestia's reference: electroencephalography (EEG) is a method of studying brain activity using electrodes fixed on the scalp. They register electrical signals and transmit them to a computer. The technology makes it possible to assess a person's psychophysical state, identify disorders in the central nervous system, as well as various diseases.
— The presented method is in demand when it is important to understand how a person reacts to certain situations in virtual reality. It helps to adapt the parameters of virtual scenes in real time. Existing solutions did not allow this to be done, since VR devices and EEG devices are incompatible due to the lack of appropriate software. These problems have been solved in our product," said Alexander Ivanov, one of the developers, a graduate student at the Department of Radio Engineering and Radioelectronic Systems at PSU.
Penza State University Press Service
He explained that the neural interface consists of a case, a printed circuit board and electrodes. Its compact dimensions do not cause discomfort when worn with a VR helmet. The device's control center is an electronic module based on a printed circuit board with a microcontroller and embedded software.
In this case, the EEG data is transmitted via a radio channel to a computer, where the software package performs their processing and generates totals. The wireless type of data transmission increases convenience and ensures the user's freedom of movement. This expands the functionality of the device and reduces interference during registration," emphasizes Alexander Ivanov.
How to rehabilitate patients with mental injuries
According to the developers, the novelty will find application in various fields. One of the directions is rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders. For example, with the help of new equipment, a specialist can immerse a patient with a phobia in a controlled stressful environment. At the same time, the system will quickly show how the brain reacts to virtual stimuli.
This will allow you to fine-tune the load, avoid overloads, and objectively assess progress in treatment, which is especially important for post-traumatic disorders or for restoring cognitive functions after a stroke.
— The device will also help train specialists to work in dangerous conditions. For example, candidates for drone operators. Thanks to the VR complex, they can be immersed in a stressful scene, close to a "combat" one, and see how they react to various factors (loud noises, changes in the environment, etc.), what actions they take in extreme situations," shared Alexander Tychkov, Head of the Department of Radio Engineering and Electronic Systems at PSU.
Similarly, he continued, the system will help astronauts and space tourists who will have to endure unusual overloads and stress to adapt to the loads.
At the same time, the development opens up opportunities for remote control of equipment. For example, in mine faces, on the ocean floor, or on an orbital station. In particular, an operator operating a research drone through a VR helmet may experience stress due to high responsibility. In such cases, the system will be able to continuously monitor its condition and, having detected signs of panic, turn off control or take over part of routine operations. This will help prevent mistakes in managing an expensive operation.
The device will also be useful for computer game developers. It will help to avoid overwork by reminding the player about the break in a timely manner, Alexander Tychkov added.
How to prepare space tourists
— VR technologies are underestimated today. They are perceived as part of the entertainment industry, where they have not aroused much interest. This is indicated by the statistics of headset sales, games and applications. In fact, these technologies have great potential and are used in the training of aircraft pilots, train drivers, racers of sports cars, etc.," Andrey Novikov, a leading engineer at the NTI Center for Digital Materials Science: New Materials and Substances at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, told Izvestia.
At the same time, he noted, in existing compact VR complexes (glasses, helmets, etc.), feedback devices have limited capabilities. And large stationary systems are expensive and non-mobile.
At the same time, it is important to understand that the assessment of professional qualities cannot be carried out exclusively using virtual reality methods, said Vera Tolchennikova, a neuroscientist and director of the RUDN University Research Institute for Brain Development. According to her, about 25% of healthy people suffer from cyber-poisoning, so they will show poor results in such tests. But they can also be valuable employees.
— Many enterprises use similar systems for staff training. For example, at nuclear power plants. At the same time, such systems make great sense for space. In particular, the first Lunokhod was operated in a similar way in 1970," said Pavel Gaiduk, deputy head of the Scientific and Exposition department of the Museum of Cosmonautics.
In his opinion, one of the promising areas of the proposed technologies is "manual" remote control of processes, as on the ISS. There is even a VR simulator that simulates moving around the station. Future astronauts can "feel" the station and figure out how to orient themselves to use the various elements.
— The device will be useful for training space tourists. Our country has accumulated considerable experience in this field. In particular, the actors of the film "The Challenge" have been trained and trained for six months. The ship was even quickly redesigned for the tasks of this mission so that it could be operated by one cosmonaut," said Nicholas Oxman, a popularizer of cosmonautics and a candidate for the cosmonaut squad.
However, now, he noted, the industry is being rebuilt in connection with the decision to create a new national space station in a mid-latitude orbit. This puts space tourism projects on hold for the long term.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
