BackHome

Partner next to the University of Würzburg:

•  Barcelona Digital, Spanien (Projekt-Koordination)
   
•  Technische Universität Graz, Österreich
   
•  Guger Technologies, Österreich
   
•  Cedar Foundation, UK
   
•  Telehealth Solutions, UK

Until now, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been tested mainly in university laboratories and only to a very limited extent by people with severe muscle paralysis in everyday life, although they can serve as a muscle-independent communication and command channel.

The BackHome project aims to develop a BCI with various functions that is easy to use and thus can be tested by people with severe paralysis in everyday life. Interested persons will be given the opportunity to test and evaluate the system in their home environment over a longer period of time.

For this purpose, a platform will be developed and made available which, after a short training, can be used independently of experts and with which numerous applications can be operated. In addition to writing programs, applications will enable, for example, the control of an Internet browser, the operation of games, painting programs and access to a multimedia database. In addition, environmental control, such as switching technical devices on and off, is also to be made possible. In the long term, the developed BCI should thus contribute to more independence and participation in social life when other aids fail.

During all phases of prototype development and evaluation, potential users of the technology will be involved and their wishes and feedback will be taken into account. This user-centered design of the system is intended to ensure a high usability of the BCIs and make the acceptance and use of BCIs as assistive devices in everyday life more likely.

The project is being realized through the collaboration of university partners with product developers and non-profit organizations from the healthcare sector.