Imagine this: You're playing tic-tac-toe on a whiteboard, just like you did as a kid. You cross out a cell and then, suddenly, it’s not the same as it used to be. A robot is circling the cell right next to it. A person who couldn’t play before, due to a disability, can now play, just by thinking. The research our newly built Neuromotion team is doing might just be the push needed to make this dream a reality.
To do so, we applied to a challenge made by the German company, Neura Robotics. For this, we created an action plan, compiled a budget overview, and our Ethics expert, Lilly Emery, addressed the ethical implications of using Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs). As a stroke of luck, we were selected to receive a one-year loan of Neura Maira, known as the first cognitive robot, to create and learn from it. The challenge, however, is that this robot was designed for use in manufacturing environments. Our goal is different; we want to use it for assistance in daily tasks such as opening the door or turning on a faucet. At the beginning, focus needs to be turned onto something simpler, to then expand with confidence and assurance. Due to this, we’ve decided to start with the game of tic-tac-toe.
The design involves three different players. Firstly, there’s a BCI. The definitions vary, but let’s just say it provides a pathway of direct communication between a device and the mind. Secondly, we have a computer showing us a grid, with buttons on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of it. Each of these buttons blinks in a different frequency; this will come into play later. Our third player, and certainly the star of the show, is Neura Maira. The robot is placed in front of a whiteboard with a three-by-three grid.
Schematic representation of the BCI controlled system. Made by Emília Fuseková.
The system works like this: the lights on the tablet flash at a certain frequency, the brain interprets this frequency. Once you focus on one of the buttons, the ones you’d like to ‘click’, the BCI takes in the information from the visual area in your brain. What does this mean? It sends the signal to the robot, which just crosses or circles one of the cells on the grid.
Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, BCI systems are notoriously complex. One might ask themselves if it isn’t easier to just use voice control. Well, it sort of is, but the newest research shows that with enough experience, BCIs will in the future replace other ways of controlling a robot as they provide a smoother flow. That’s exactly why we are doing it. Cutting-edge research tends to be the hardest thing to do now, but over time, and maybe even with our work, it will pay off.
We have also recruited more helpers for the BCI team, who have helped us accelerate the task.
The Neuromotion Team at Automatica 2025
Thanks to Neura Robotics for choosing us for this challenge and for all the help you’ve provided. We’re excited to explore how cognitive robotics and neuroscience can come together, starting with a simple game and gradually expanding into broader applications. Everyone, keep yourself on the lookout for any updates about this project that will come up! There’s already some on our Instagram page.
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