Experimental design. Credit: Tianyu Jia, Lab of Intelligent and Biomimetic Machinery, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Researchers from Tsinghua University and Imperial College London have introduced an innovative technique, involving brain-to-brain interactions, to enhance brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. This groundbreaking approach, which leverages the power of social connections, showcases the potential for improved BCI performance in various applications such as rehabilitation and multitasking devices.
Dr. Tianyu Jia and their team of interdisciplinary scientists delved into the impact of social interactions on BCI performance during motor imagery tasks. The study, which involved groups of friends and strangers, aimed to understand how familiar social connections influence neural synchronization and BCI efficiency, shedding light on the promising future of BCI technology.
The presence of a friend and physical interactions such as eye contact and hand touching notably boosted BCI decoding accuracy by promoting enhanced neural synchronization between brains. Individuals who participated in direct eye contact and physical interaction with a familiar companion exhibited heightened cortical activation and connectivity, suggesting that social engagement could significantly optimize BCI functionality.
These beneficial impacts were predominantly observed among friends rather than strangers, underscoring the significance of pre-existing social connections in optimizing BCI performance.
The study’s findings hold great promise for the future of BCI applications, especially in fields where users need to work together seamlessly, such as in cooperative tasks and complex rehabilitation scenarios. Dr. Jia stated, “Our results indicate that integrating interpersonal social interaction into BCI systems could transform how these systems are utilized, making them more effective and responsive.”
For individuals with motor disabilities or those undergoing rehabilitation, this research presents a new avenue for more impactful treatments. BCI systems equipped with brain-to-brain coupling technology have the potential to improve recovery rates by harnessing natural human connectivity.
The success of this research presents exciting opportunities to delve further into the influence of social interactions on technological interaction and cognitive performance. The team is eager to broaden their research to encompass diverse participant groups and clinical settings, aiming to comprehensively understand the broad applicability of their findings.
This study not only lays the groundwork for enhancing current BCI technologies but also emphasizes the profound impact of human connection on technological progress. As BCIs continue to advance, integrating aspects of human interaction, such as social engagement and brain-to-brain communication, could be pivotal in developing more intuitive and efficient systems. This could lead to a paradigm shift in the design and use of BCI systems, making them more user-friendly and effective.
Journal reference:
- Tianyu Jia, Jingyao Sun, Ciarán McGeady, Linhong Ji, Chong Li. Enhancing Brain–Computer Interface Performance by Incorporating Brain-to-Brain Coupling. Cyborg and Bionic Systems, 2024; DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0116
