Development of an ERD measurement system using Emotiv Epoc

Abstract

We developed a low-cost, event-related desynchronization (ERD) measurement system using consumer-grade EEG system (Emotiv Epoc) for application of motor-imagery (MI) related brain machine interface (BMI). We investigated accuracy of ERD power detection of Epoc by comparing the ERD power calculated from simultaneously recorded EEG via Epoc and medical-grade EEG system (g.USBamp: g.tec medical engineering). Eleven healthy participants performed MI of holding a rolling tennis ball and opening the grasped hand under the observation of hand movement video. The mean ERD power was comparable between Epoc and g.USBamp with both hand gestures tested. ERD detection accuracy of Epoc was 70.5% of the all trials tested. Considering the price of Epoc, our results suggest that Epoc could be a good substitute for medical-grade EEG systems for the purpose of MI-based BMI.