ORCID
Jewell Norris: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1369-7431
Creation Date
12-6-2025
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Major(s)
Computer Science
Document Type
Immediate Open Access
Abstract
OpenBCI is a low-cost, open-source platform for alternative brain-computer interface (BCI) software and hardware. This thesis evaluates OpenBCI’s electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) capabilities by constructing and testing a 16-channel EEG system using the Ultracortex Mark IV headset and Cyton + Daisy biosensing board. The viability of the system was assessed through real-time BCI control and comparison to a clinical-grade EEG system. Real-time BCI control of an online falling-block game was tested via the use of eye blinks EMG (channels Fp1/Fp2) and head-tilt accelerometer inputs. The BCI game demonstrated reliable control despite minor latency and artifact sensitivity. For clinical comparison, a visual-evoked potential (VEP) paradigm, previously validated on an EMSE 64-channel system, was replicated using a Unity-based checkerboard stimulus presented on the Meta Quest 3. A custom preprocessing pipeline was needed to convert OpenBCI data to usable BDF/EVT formats for EMSE Suite analysis. Limitations included dry-electrode noise, reduced spatial resolution, export incompatibility, and hardware bulkiness. Overall, costing under $5000 (one-sixth of clinical equivalents) with minimal training required, the OpenBCI EEG system proved suitable for BCI and neuroscience research, highlighting solvable trade-offs in signal quality for gain in accessibility.
Date Defended
11-18-2025
Thesis Director
Dr. Adam Jones
Second Committee Member
Dr. Ed Swan
Third Committee Member
Dr. Anastasia Elder
Recommended Citation
Norris, Jewell, "Implementation and Assessment of the OpenBCI Platform as an Accessible Brain- Computer Interface" (2025). Honors Theses. 188.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/188
Rights Statement
"Implementation and Assessment of the OpenBCI Platform as an Accessible Brain- Computer Interface", Copyright 2025 by Jewell Norris. My thesis may be used for non-profit educational and research purposes. Note that in addition to my own works of authorship, this thesis may contain and provide citations to third party content. If your use goes beyond fair use, you would need to contact those rights holders for additional licensing/permissions.
