Since the invention of the computer, humans have developed a variety of methods in which we interacted with them. Starting with the mechanical punch card method, where we had to physically place punch cards to perform secific calculations. Then came the first software method, the Character User Interface, or the CUI. This method introduced a novel way for interaction which was the keyboard, in which people had to type certain prgramming language words to excute commands into a black screen with nothing visible but text. Later on, came the Graphical User Interface, or the GUI, which revolutionized the way we interact with computers. Computers no longer displayed text only, but it's capable of displaying graphics like images, windows, buttons, etc. It introduced an additional instrument next to the already existing keyboard, which is the mouse. The mouse was necessary to control a new element at the time which was the cursor, which was the main way of navigating the Graphical User Interface.
When we look at the rate of change of the computer's user interfaces, two factor stands out, speed and effort. The next user interface should take less time getting users from point A to point B, and most importantly, less effort. Currently, it's necessary to take time and exert a muscular effort, which may cause strains for prolonged uses, in order to select an item on the screen. What if there was a way that eliminates this time while not exerting any muscular effort?
A test subject controlling a mobile game with thought by imagining a right hand movement to perform a jump
The Brain User Interface (BUI) achieved just that. By utalizing BCI technology, we were able to allow users control their devices by thought non-invasively. It all starts with measuring the person's brain waves using an EEG headset to set certain thoughts to the action they want. For example, we can set the thought of moving the right hand upwards to scroll the page up. Or, when the person imagines a hand movement downward, the page scrolls down. That's some of the basic examples and there's a vast amount of different configurations that are suited to each individual person, guaranteed to optimize their daily or professional life.