What can we measure with EMOTIV hardware and software?

What can we measure with EMOTIV hardware and software?

Raw EEG– displays the voltage fluctuations detected from each sensor on your headset. Raw EEG graphs are displayed as uV per sample. For Epoc, Epoc+ and Epoc X devices, you will see 14 channels displayed, associated with each of the 14 channels on your headset. For Insight devices, you will see 5 channels. For Epoc Flex, you can view up to 32 channels depending on your configuration.

Performance metrics– EMOTIV currently measures 6 different cognitive states in real time – Excitement (Arousal), Interest (Valence), Stress (Frustration), Engagement/Boredom, Attention (Focus) and Meditation (Relaxation). We continue to improve and refine our performance metrics algorithms as well as build new detections. These detections were developed based on rigorous experimental studies involving volunteers for each state, where subjects were taken through experiences to elicit different levels of the desired state. They were wired up with many additional biometric measures (heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, blood volume flow, skin impedance and eye tracking), observed and recorded by a trained psychologist and also self-reported. 

Mental Commands– based on unique and highly efficient methods, EMOTIV has developed a system for users to train direct mental commands where the user trains the system to recognize thought patterns related to different desired outcomes, such as moving objects or making them disappear. The system can be trained to recognize a single command in less than 20 seconds.

Facial Expressions– muscle artifacts which commonly get rejected in laboratory EEG studies are diverted and classified to map the activation in different muscle groups and eye movement events. Our universal detections can be fine tuned for each individual to indicate 12 different facial expressions or events. Individuals with partial paralysis or unusual musculature can custom-train the activations. These events can be used to animate an avatar, detect specific responses and they may be tasked to execute commands. Combined with the on-board motion sensor, we can provide a hands-free brain-controlled mouse, adjust music volume or track skip depending on mood, and many other options.

Frequency bands– Data on brain activity collected with EEG are often explained in terms of different frequency bands – how fast the brain is processing information and interacting with other brain regions. Of course there is a huge number of connections within the brain (trillions of trillions) and each specific interaction happens at its own pace. EEG observations can only be made when large numbers of neurons within the same region behave as part of a large scale activity which is characteristic of a particular type of activity, and it is quite normal for many different interactions of this kind to be taking place in the same part of the brain at the same time, therefore we often see significant activity on many frequency bands at the same time. Both the frequency of the interaction and the specific location of the activity provide information about the kind of activity inside the brain.

EMOTIV’s detection suites are based on the combined pattern of activity across the different regions using very detailed information including frequency bands, however most EEG researchers rely mainly on the band activity: Theta (4 – 8 Hz), Alpha (8 – 12 Hz), Beta (12 – 25Hz), Gamma (greater than 25Hz).

Motion Sensors– display data concerning your headset’s position and orientation using a combination of absolute orientation (magnetometer), acceleration (accelerometer) and rotation vectors (quaternion) data in a ten channel time series graph.