Imec, Holst Centre Introduce EEG Headset for Emotion Detection

At the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) taking place in Las Vegas, NV from Jan. 9-12, 2018, imec and Holst Centre are demonstrating a prototype of an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset that can measure emotions and cognitive processes in the brain. The headset is a major breakthrough in emotion measurement for therapeutic, learning and gaming applications, the institutes reported.
 
Traditionally, EEG brain scans are used to diagnose medical conditions such as epilepsy or sleep disorders. More recently, EEG brain scans have been introduced as a way to detect emotions which opens doors beyond the medical field. Researchers are looking into e-learning applications, and developers of virtual games are exploring the possibilities of emotion-based e-gaming. Such application domains require real-time emotion detection, which can be achieved through wireless EEG headsets.
 
Challenges in EEG electrode placement and user comfort for long term usage are the key deterrents in using EEG signals beyond clinical purpose. Imec’s EEG headset combines user comfort with its low-power technology, active high-quality EEG dry-electrodes from Datwyler and advanced software. The system contains a headphone jack and is Bluetooth compatible for music streaming. With the integration of music playback, the system can not only measure, but also influence the emotions of the person that is wearing the headset.
 
With the help of Artificial Intelligence the headset can learn the personal musical preferences of the wearer and compose and playback, in real-time, music that fits his or her preferences and influences emotions to achieve the wearers’ desired emotional state. The machine learning algorithms to achieve this were developed by Osaka University under the Center of Innovation (COI) Program.
 
 “Imec’s extensive expertise in this domain is a result of nearly a decade of work in creating circuits and compact systems for wearable EEG monitoring,” stated Chris Van Hoof, senior director connected health solutions. “Leveraging the expertise of our project partners: Osaka University and Datwyler, we could develop a new type of EEG headset that will be vital for clinical research on emotion estimation in therapeutic environments or for neurofeedback through aural stimulation for relaxation, cognitive enhancement and memory improvement purposes.”