The field of Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) has grown rapidly in the last few decades, allowing the development of faster and more reliable assistive technologies based on direct links between the brain and an external device. Novel applications of BCIs have also been proposed, especially in the area of human augmentation, i.e., enabling people to go beyond human limitations in sensory, cognitive and motor tasks. Brain-imaging techniques, such as electroencephalography, have been used to extract neural correlates of various brain processes and transform them, via machine learning, into commands for external devices. Brain stimulation technology has allowed to trigger the activation of specific brain areas to enhance the cognitive processes associated to the task at hand, hence improving performance. BCIs have therefore extended their scope from assistive technologies for people with disabilities to neuro-tools for human enhancement. This Special Issue aims at showing the recent advances in BCIs for human augmentation, highlighting new results on both traditional and novel applications. These include, but are not limited to, control of external devices, communication, cognitive enhancement, decision making and entertainment.

The idea of interfacing minds with machines has long captured the human imagination. Recent advances in neuroscience and engineering are making this a reality, opening the door to restoration and augmentation of human physical and mental capabilities. Medical applications such as cochlear implants for the deaf and neurally controlled prosthetic limbs for the paralyzed are becoming almost commonplace. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are also increasingly being used in security, lie detection, alertness monitoring, telepresence, gaming, education, art, and human augmentation. This introduction to the field is designed as a textbook for upper-level undergraduate and first-year graduate courses in neural engineering or brain-computer interfacing for students from a wide range of disciplines. It can also be used for self-study and as a reference by neuroscientists, computer scientists, engineers, and medical practitioners. Key features include questions and exercises in each chapter and a supporting website.

A cross-disciplinary approach is offered to consider the challenge of emerging technologies designed to enhance human bodies and minds. Perspectives from philosophy, ethics, law, and policy are applied to a wide variety of enhancements, including integration of technology within human bodies, as well as genetic, biological, and pharmacological modifications. Humans may be permanently or temporarily enhanced with artificial parts by manipulating (or reprogramming) human DNA and through other enhancement techniques (and combinations thereof). We are on the cusp of significantly modifying (and perhaps improving) the human ecosystem. This evolution necessitates a continuing effort to re-evaluate current laws and, if appropriate, to modify such laws or develop new laws that address enhancement technology. A legal, ethical, and policy response to current and future human enhancements should strive to protect the rights of all involved and to recognize the responsibilities of humans to other conscious and living beings, regardless of what they look like or what abilities they have (or lack). A potential ethical approach is outlined in which rights and responsibilities should be respected even if enhanced humans are perceived by non-enhanced (or less-enhanced) humans as “no longer human” at all.

For generations, humans have fantasized about the ability to create devices that can see into a person’s mind and thoughts, or to communicate and interact with machines through thought alone. Such ideas have long captured the imagination of humankind in the form of ancient myths and modern science fiction stories. Recent advances in cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging technologies have started to turn these myths into a reality, and are providing us with the ability to interface directly with the human brain. This ability is made possible through the use of sensors that monitor physical processes within the brain which correspond with certain forms of thought. Brain-Computer Interfaces: Applying our Minds to Human-Computer Interaction broadly surveys research in the Brain-Computer Interface domain. More specifically, each chapter articulates some of the challenges and opportunities for using brain sensing in Human-Computer Interaction work, as well as applying Human-Computer Interaction solutions to brain sensing work. For researchers with little or no expertise in neuroscience or brain sensing, the book provides background information to equip them to not only appreciate the state-of-the-art, but also ideally to engage in novel research. For expert Brain-Computer Interface researchers, the book introduces ideas that can help in the quest to interpret intentional brain control and develop the ultimate input device. It challenges researchers to further explore passive brain sensing to evaluate interfaces and feed into adaptive computing systems. Most importantly, the book will connect multiple communities allowing research to leverage their work and expertise and blaze into the future.

Neuro-robotics is one of the most multidisciplinary fields of the last decades, fusing information and knowledge from neuroscience, engineering and computer science. This book focuses on the results from the strategic alliance between Neuroscience and Robotics that help the scientific community to better understand the brain as well as design robotic devices and algorithms for interfacing humans and robots. The first part of the book introduces the idea of neuro-robotics, by presenting state-of-the-art bio-inspired devices. The second part of the book focuses on human-machine interfaces for performance augmentation, which can seen as augmentation of abilities of healthy subjects or assistance in case of the mobility impaired. The third part of the book focuses on the inverse problem, i.e. how we can use robotic devices that physically interact with the human body, in order (a) to understand human motor control and (b) to provide therapy to neurologically impaired people or people with disabilities.

BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE It covers all the research prospects and recent advancements in the brain-computer interface using deep learning. The brain-computer interface (BCI) is an emerging technology that is developing to be more functional in practice. The aim is to establish, through experiences with electronic devices, a communication channel bridging the human neural networks within the brain to the external world. For example, creating communication or control applications for locked-in patients who have no control over their bodies will be one such use. Recently, from communication to marketing, recovery, care, mental state monitoring, and entertainment, the possible application areas have been expanding. Machine learning algorithms have advanced BCI technology in the last few decades, and in the sense of classification accuracy, performance standards have been greatly improved. For BCI to be effective in the real world, however, some problems remain to be solved. Research focusing on deep learning is anticipated to bring solutions in this regard. Deep learning has been applied in various fields such as computer vision and natural language processing, along with BCI growth, outperforming conventional approaches to machine learning. As a result, a significant number of researchers have shown interest in deep learning in engineering, technology, and other industries; convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), and generative adversarial network (GAN). Audience Researchers and industrialists working in brain-computer interface, deep learning, machine learning, medical image processing, data scientists and analysts, machine learning engineers, electrical engineering, and information technologists.

Neuroergonomics: The Brain at Work and in Everyday Life details the methodologies that are useful for keeping an ideal human-machine system up-to-date, along with information on how to prevent potential overload and minimize errors. It discusses neural measures and the proper methods and technologies to maximize performance, thus providing a resource for neuroscientists who want to learn more about the technologies and real-time tools that can help them assess cognitive and motivational states of human operators and close the loop for advanced human-machine interaction. With the advent of new and improved tools that allow monitoring of brain activity in the field and better identification of neurophysiological markers that can index impending overload or fatigue, this book is a timely resource on the topic. - Includes neurobiological models to better understand risky decision-making and cognitive countermeasures, augmented cognition, and brain stimulations to enhance performance and mitigate human error - Features innovative methodologies and protocols using psychophysiological measurements and brain imaging techniques in realistic operational settings - Discusses numerous topics, including cognitive performance in psychological and neurological disorders, brain computer interfaces (BCI), and human performance monitoring in ecological conditions, virtual reality, and serious gaming