title: Evaluation of a Dry EEG System for Application of Passive Brain-Computer Interfaces in Autonomous Driving.
abstract: We tested the applicability and signal quality of a 16 channel dry electroencephalography (EEG) system in a laboratory environment and in a car under controlled, realistic conditions. The aim of our investigation was an estimation how well a passive Brain-Computer Interface (pBCI) can work in an autonomous driving scenario. The evaluation considered speed and accuracy of self-applicability by an untrained person, quality of recorded EEG data, shifts of electrode positions on the head after driving-related movements, usability, and complexity of the system as such and wearing comfort over time. An experiment was conducted inside and outside of a stationary vehicle with running engine, air-conditioning, and muted radio. Signal quality was sufficient for standard EEG analysis in the time and frequency domain as well as for the use in pBCIs. While the influence of vehicle-induced interferences to data quality was insignificant, driving-related movements led to strong shifts in electrode positions. In general, the EEG system used allowed for a fast self-applicability of cap and electrodes. The assessed usability of the system was still acceptable while the wearing comfort decreased strongly over time due to friction and pressure to the head. From these results we conclude that the evaluated system should provide the essential requirements for an application in an autonomous driving context. Nevertheless, further refinement is suggested to reduce shifts of the system due to body movements and increase the headset's usability and wearing comfort.
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of BerlinBerlin, Germany; Team PhyPA, Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University BerlinBerlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thorsten O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Zander
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of BerlinBerlin, Germany; Team PhyPA, Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University BerlinBerlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Lena M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Andreessen
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bleuel
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pawlitzki
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zawallich
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of BerlinBerlin, Germany; Team PhyPA, Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University BerlinBerlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Laurens R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Krol
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of BerlinBerlin, Germany; Center for Advanced Neurological Engineering, University of California San DiegoSan Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gramann
keywords: EEG; ERP; autonomous driving; passive BCI; usability