Translational Issues in BCI Development: User Needs, Ethics, and Technology Transfer
Rome, Italy
December 2-3, 2010
Theme
The brain-computer interface (BCI) technology uses brain signals to directly drive external devices. Over the last decade, EEG-based BCIs have begun to provide basic communication and motor control abilities to people with severe motor disabilities, thus offering a unique opportunity to improve their quality of life.
In spite of the remarkable advancement in computing capabilities (signal acquisition and processing, translation algorithms.), a large gap still exists between the promises of the neural engineering achievements and the clinical application reality in terms of BCIs as a daily use assisted device and as add-on intervention in the rehabilitation protocols.
Goals
The goal of the 2nd TOBI workshop is to draw the current and future scenarios involving themes of utmost relevance to fill this gap:
- user centered research and design
- neuroethics
- technology transfer
The first theme is a prerequisite for the potential integration of the BCI technology as an adjunctive solution into Assistive Technology field where users’ needs and professionals’ care blend to create solutions which are perceived as really useful. The second theme embraces many open issues brought about by brain-machine interaction such as the blurring of the boundary between human and machine that forms the first challenge to the familiar categories with which we think. The last theme becomes urgent to promote large scale application of BCI technology; industrial strategy is needed to manage open issues spanning from common hardware and software standards to patent products.
Scientific Program
The scientific program will consist of a series of keynote talks, oral presentations, poster presentations, and round tables.
Papers accepted for presentation will be assigned either to an oral or poster session. In the same sessions, members of the TOBI project will report their achievements in non-invasive hybrid BCI for Assistive Technologies.
All accepted papers will be published on a special issue of the International Journal of Bioelectromagnetism. Authors of best papers will be invited to submit an extended version for a special issue to be published on a prominent journal of the field (to be announced).
Keynote speakers
Keynote speakers are are leading experts of the workshop themes. Two speakers already confirmed their participation:
- Richard Frackowiak, Head of Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland. [Brain plasticity in motor restoration]
- Guglielmo Tamburrini, Professor of Philosophy of Science at the School of Sciences of Universita’ di Napoli Federico II, Italy. [Ethical perspectives of BCI]
More keynote speakers will be announced as soon as they confirm their attendance
Round Table: Industrial Perspectives of BCI
Translation from research laboratories to clinical and consumer application of BCI needs industrial companies to transfer the research outcomes into commercially available products.
Chair: Dr. Paul Timmers, Head of Unit for ICT for Inclusion in the European Commission (to be confirmed).
Important dates:
Deadline for paper submission (2 pages): October 11, 2010, Midnight Central European Time
Outcome of paper review:October 20, 2010 Midnight Central European Time
Deadline for early registration (70 EUR): November 1, 2010
Deadline for later registration (120 EUR): November 19, 2010
Link
IEET Blog