Playing Checkers with your Mind: An Application of a SSVEP-Based Brain-Computer Interface

In this talk I will be presenting a novel application for using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) based on Steady-State Visually Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) to play a game of checkers. A 6x4 checkerboard with squares lit by flickering LEDs to show possible moves was used to elicit SSVEP responses resonating at 10, 11, 12, and 13Hz in the players. Upon focusing one’s gaze on a particular square on the checkerboard, the SSVEP generated was classified by applying a threshold to the frequency spectrum determined from EEG measurements. After classification, a robot arm was used to pick and place selected pieces on the board. I will discuss the use of this SSVEP-based BCI to interact with the physical world where the positions of stimuli change according to user-input.