PhD position, 2019

We propose a thesis subject, which will begin in October 2019 and will be financed by a doctoral grant from the University of Lille, on the subject :

“Brain-computer interfaces exploiting somatosensory evoked potentials”

If you wish to apply on this thesis, at first please send us an email. The description of the research topic is also available in a PDF document.

SSSEP-based BCI

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the possibilities offered by a modality of interfacing the human brain to a computer that has barely been studied to date, namely the evocation then the detection of somatosensory potentials. Multiple categories of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) have been proposed over the last twenty years. Nevertheless, very few concrete applications are available to date for end users. The few interfacing modalities that could establish a reliable communication channel imply monopolizing the visual system of the user, thereby prohibiting an immense number of applications in which the latter must above all observe his environment. Some studies have focused on the exploitation of steady-state somatosensory evoked potentials (SSSEP), which are detectable in the brain signals of an individual when the latter perceives, for example, repetitive tactile stimulations. These are the stimulation modalities that we will study during this thesis, as well as the possibilities of BCI interaction that they could enable.

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Mind reading, the telepathic computer

Participation to the La Méthode scientifique radio program, hosted by Nicolas MARTIN.

What are the difficulties in reading and interpreting brain activity? What do we call mindreading? What is the language of thought? What can we expect from BMIs in the future? Can we think of telepathy via a computer?

Read more and listen to this program on the France Culture web site (in French) …