low-cost way to get started? / pong game
NeuroTechEnthusiast
United States
I'm wanting to use OpenBCI as a hobby project, but I'm not quite sure how to get started. My goal is to connect brain activity to an old arcade game (like Pong) that doesn't have many controls.
I assume that the Ganglion is the best choice for low-budget, but it doesn't come with electrodes. Which ones are the best for EEG and don't cost too much?
I also see EmotiBit, and am wondering whether that would be the best choice.
Another question I have is if I got the Ganglion, would I still need the dongle if my computer supports Bluetooth 4.2?
Comments
Hi NTE,
Regarding your interest in making a BCI 'Pong' game, there are several threads here on the Forum, regarding the free and open source BCI package called MindAffect:
https://www.google.com/search?as_q=mindaffect&as_sitesearch=openbci.com
https://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/2783/mindaffect-announces-open-source-release-of-their-cvep-bci-speller-games-etc
MindAffect uses VEP, Visual Evoked Potentials, that are generated when you look at areas ('buttons') on your monitor screen that have certain patterns of flashing on and off. Look at some of the above video demos. You could either have simple up and down buttons, or a range of different buttons corresponding to the vertical position you desire to position to. On screen 'buttons' need to have some separation between them, should not be directly adjacent to each other.
MindAffect works best with electrodes that have moisture against the skin. It does NOT work well with the dry-only electrodes sold in the Shop. However another option would be to use the dry comb electrodes, but with an added moist sponge or fabric layer that you add to the combs. Alternately you could use the gold cups with paste, the electrode cap, or the gel-free cap. MindAffect also has their own 3D printed headband using moistened pins. Not sure if they ever made that available for sale.
Here is a page with more dry electrode options:
https://fri-fl-shop.com/collections/electrodes-eeg-electrodes
The velcro headband material used is simple Velcro One-Wrap, 3/4", with holes punched,
https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-ONE-WRAP-Double-Sided-Multi-Purpose/dp/B000078CUB
re: EmotiBit. Since MindAffect is measuring EEG, EmotiBit does not support EEG readout.
re: dongle. Yes, if your computer has built-in Bluetooth, it should work without the dongle. Although the dongle is inexpensive and allows support of older computers / operating systems.
Regards, William
I can't remember how far I got with this project, but here is an example which uses OpenBCI hardware + BrainFlow + Unity: https://github.com/retiutut/OpenBCI-Unity-Pong
It can certainly be refined, but it's a starting point. I think I may have used EMG signals on left/right forearms for up and down controls. Could also be replicated using a Python implementation of Pong and BrainFlow.