title: Validation of brain-machine interfaces during parabolic flight.
abstract: Here we report on a validation study on brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) performed during the December 2007 ESA parabolic flight campaign. We investigated the feasibility of using BMIs for space applications by performing tests in microgravity. Brain signals were recorded with noninvasive electroencephalography before (calibration sessions) and during the parabolic flights on two subjects with prior BMI experience. The results of our experiments show that an experienced BMI user can achieve stable performance in all gravity conditions examined and, hence, demonstrate the feasibility of operating noninvasive BMIs in space.
authors.affiliation: Idiap Research Institute, Rue Marconi 19, 1920 Martigny, Switzerland.
authors.forename: José Del R
authors.initials: Jdel R
authors.lastname: Millàn
authors.forename: Pierre W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Ferrez
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seidl
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013026:Space Flight; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014893:Weightlessness