Olfactory Paradigm for Reactive Brain-Computer Interface: EEG Response Spatial Visualization and Clustering

Hubert Kasprzak, Nina Niewinska, Tomasz Komendzinski, Mihoko Otake-Matsuura, Tomasz M. Rutkowski

Abstract: The sense of smell, which is also known as olfaction, can improve brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). It provides a natural and non-invasive way for users to interact with technology by assigning different commands to various scents delivered one after the other in a classical oddball paradigm setting. Olfactory BCIs detect changes in brain activity patterns in response to odors, which can be used to control devices, communicate, or provide information about the user’s mental state in the passive BCI modality. Olfactory stimulants can be processed quickly without causing attention overload, making them a promising direction for future BCI research and development. However, some challenges need to be overcome, such as the need for more accurate and reliable odor delivery systems and the development of robust algorithms for detecting and interpreting brain activity patterns. In a pilot study, we have shown the possibility of using a common spatial pattern (CSP) filtration and subsequent clustering of attended versus ignored scent stimuli in a novel BCI modality. Our preliminary results are promising, with accurate EEG response classification observed in four of eight experimental subjects.