Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have actually established an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensing unit that is included into a virtual truth headset. The innovation can determine brain activity while somebody is going through an immersive virtual truth experience. The gadget might help in improving medical virtual truth interventions, such as those utilized to deal with trauma or fears, by exposing brain activity throughout various jobs or experiences that assist clinicians to customize treatment strategies to take full advantage of effectiveness. The electrodes are soft and spongy, that makes them comfy versus the head, and they can get an excellent reading even if there is hair in the method.
Virtual truth has plenty to use the medical area. Not just can it be utilized for neuroscience research study, however it likewise has possible in medical interventions, such as those created to help individuals with trauma to expose themselves to activating stimuli in a safe area. Comparable direct exposure treatment might be helpful for those with fears. Virtual truth might likewise work for physical rehab for those with neurological conditions, helping in motor knowing.
Nevertheless, to date, examining a VR user’s brain activity while they are immersed in a virtual world has actually not been that simple. The standard electrode-covered cap would hinder using a VR headset. While integrated VR/EEG systems have actually been created previously, they have actually been pricey and unpleasant, utilizing the standard stiff comb-shaped electrodes that can permeate through hair, however which are unpleasant to use for extended periods.
” All of these mainstream choices have considerable defects that we attempted to get rid of with our system,” stated Hongbian Li, a scientist associated with the research study. As an option that might suit a VR headset, however which likewise offered convenience, the scientists produced soft and spongy electrodes that were comfy versus the scalp, however which might still acquire an excellent signal through hair.
The electrodes are consisted of in both the forehead pad and leading strap of the headset, while an EEG recording gadget rests at the back of the headset. Up until now, the scientists have actually checked the system by determining the brain activity of volunteers while they played a driving simulator video game.
Here’s a video from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School:
Research study in journal Soft Science: Hair-compatible sponge electrodes incorporated on VR headset for electroencephalography