Turiba University has patented the first IT control system approach to a unique device in Latvia in June. It reads the brain's low-frequency radio waves and is able to use it to control the device, making it move in different directions, thus connecting technology with the human mind.
This user program has been developed by university IT researchers, assoc. professor - Jānis Pekša and professor Dmytro Mamchur, but the program was tested by Mykhailo Antropov, a student of Turiba's IT department from Ukraine.
The goal of the researchers was to develop an application that would make the world of technology more accessible to all the people of the world. The developed application is accessible to everyone and can also be used in everyday life, replacing the traditional keyboard and mouse.
The technique is designed to provide computerized text input that helps a person perform tasks through a brain-computer interface. Thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms and a developed application, this device is able to provide input to the computer, allowing the brain to act as a keyboard and mouse.
"This technology enables more people to become IT professionals, especially those who do not have the ability to fully use a computer, such as people without hand functionality. With our patented system and program, they are given the opportunity to work in the field of programming. This would help fill the job market where Latvia needs more than 3,000 IT specialists, providing opportunities for those who want to become programmers," explains Jānis Pekša, head of Turiba's IT department.
Turiba University is a leading partner in the INTUX project, the main idea of which is to improve the user interface and experience for people with disabilities. Thanks to this project, a device was purchased that includes 16 sensors and several control modules. When these sensors are placed on a person's head, low-frequency radio waves from the brain are read. Much like a radio receiver receives and plays back radio waves, this machine allows data to be obtained from low-frequency brain waves.
The main goal of the INTUX project is to develop and implement in universities learning modules on the creation of user experience design that is comfortable and suitable for people with disabilities. In applied experience design, or the so-called UI/UX design, is the experience that occurs when a user interacts with a product, such as elements on a website or app.
The IT department of Turiba University is the only one in the Baltics who researches the interaction of brain waves with computers and other devices. Turiba's IT department is currently actively working on the creation of the master's program, as well as new innovations have already been created in the IT laboratory as part of the studies and a patent has been received for a new automated microclimate control system that is able to adapt to changing conditions and maintain an ideal microclimate indoors.
Photo: Turiba University