Wanted: Companies working with BCI technology

Do you work for a company that develops BCI products? Or do you know of such a company? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

Dart is the the center for AT and AAC within Västra Götaland region. We are running a project aimed at identifying a communication solution controlled by the brain (BCI technology). In this way, we hope to provide patients with severe motor impairments — who currently have no possibility of using existing assistive technologies such as eye-gaze controlled computers — with a means of communication.

We are now looking for companies working with BCI technology to explore different forms of collaboration. If you work for a company in this field, we would be grateful if you could complete the questions in our questionnaire. Below, you can read more about our organization and project idea.

If you do not work with the technology yourself but know of a product or company, please feel free to share your suggestions with us below!

Västra Götaland region

Västra Götaland Region is one of Sweden's largest employers, with approximately 55,000 employees. Västra Götaland Region is responsible for healthcare, culture, public transport and development in western Sweden.

Background and purpose

Communication is a basic human right and fundamental for participation, autonomy, and quality of life. Assistive communication technologies can be absolutely essential for people with severe motor impairments.

During the last decades, eye-gaze controlled computers have given many users opportunities to express themselves and act independently. However, as of today, there are no available solutions for communication in daily life for those who lack sufficient eye motor control or are unable to keep their eyes open.

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology, which interprets brain activity and translates it into computer control, may offer an alternative to assistive technologies that require motor ability. By enabling communication even for those with the most extensive impairments, this technology can strengthen autonomy, inclusion, and quality of life.

Current situation and needs

Today, there are advanced technical solutions for computer control and communication for people with extensive motor impairments, for example, head mouses, eye-gaze controlled computers, or EMG switches. However, for those who, for various reasons, cannot use existing solutions, there are currently no available assistive devices for communication in daily life.

BCI technology could meet the need for independent computer control and communication without requiring voluntary motor activity. Possible target groups include patients with brainstem strokes, advanced ALS, muscular atrophies, and brain injuries.

Communication software

Communication software is a system for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) that runs on a digital device and transforms user input into a message. This message can be presented directly to people nearby, often with synthetic speech, or sent as text or images via email or messaging services.

The software presents options for the user visually (letters, text, or images), auditorily (letters or phrases read aloud), or through a combination of both.
There is often support for dynamic displays where the options are grouped into categories that the user can navigate between to access a large number of alternatives. Examples of communication software currently procured within the assistive technology range in VGR include Grid 3, Mind Express 5, and TD Snap.

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