An Introductory Tutorial on Brain–Computer Interfaces and Their Applications

The prospect and potentiality of interfacing minds with machines has long captured human
imagination. Recent advances in biomedical engineering, computer science, and neuroscience are
making brain–computer interfaces a reality, paving the way to restoring and potentially augmenting
human physical and mental capabilities. Applications of brain–computer interfaces are being
explored in applications as diverse as security, lie detection, alertness monitoring, gaming, education,
art, and human cognition augmentation. The present tutorial aims to survey the principal features
and challenges of brain–computer interfaces (such as reliable acquisition of brain signals, filtering and
processing of the acquired brainwaves, ethical and legal issues related to brain–computer interface
(BCI), data privacy, and performance assessment) with special emphasis to biomedical engineering
and automation engineering applications. The content of this paper is aimed at students, researchers,
and practitioners to glimpse the multifaceted world of brain–computer interfacing.