23rd Annual Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics

It was my pleasure to have participated in the 23rd Annual FCRAR. As I previously shared I presented a paper titled "Kuka Robocoaster Simulator" which dealt with an approach to understand the science and challenges of this new entertaining and thrilling technology.

To my Surprise the conference was dominated (about 30%) of the papers presented were regarding BCI's (Brain Computer Interfaces). To my understanding this essential example of interaction design, uses a helmet which upon placed on the user, reads some electromagnetic brain waves as emitted by the brain and the nervous system. These brain waves are interfaced and interpreted by a computer.

Most of the applications for BCI's were geared towards the use towards the medical fields. One example was presented by the University of North Florida, in which they plan to use the BCI to move a robotic arm which could eventually interact with various touch sensitive devices. Another example was presented by the University of South Florida, in which their goal was to create a simulation in which a BCI could be used to move a wheelchair with a robotic arm attached to it.

Brain Computer Interfaces have been explored since the late 70's and most of the programs are still relying on the same idea in which a user interacts as they look at a screen with a matrix of options. The user then selects an option and concentrates on their selection which is then interpreted by the computer through the BCI.

As an admirer of the idea of the 'Renaissance Engineer', it was refreshing to see Engineering skills and concepts used in the medical field to help those in need, and while doing that advancing our technological understanding of a powerful and yet not fully understood supercomputer 'The Human Brain'.