Home automation system using brain computer interface paradigm based on auditory selection attention

Brain Computer Interface is a technique through which a direct communication link can be established between a human brain and an external device using Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. This technique implemented with a smart home system can be an effective remedy to help individuals suffering from speech and motion related disabilities. This paper presents a home automation system based on Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) to mitigate speech and motion disabilities. The system comprises of an ultra-cortex headset, Arduino boards, speakers, personal computers with the processing IDE, SD card module, and proximity sensors. Two smart home (voice controlled) devices were used in system implementation: a smart bulb and a fan attached to a smart plug. Four subjects tested the devices where each subject performed three trials with a minute gap between each trial. Testing involved four states for the smart bulb, namely turn on, turn off, brighten by 25%, and dim by 25%. The smart plug was tested for its ON and OFF states. For each trial, system response time and accuracy were recorded. Average system response time for the smart bulb was found to be 17, 20.4, 16, 17.6 seconds with an accuracy of 92%, 50%, 59%, 67% for ON, OFF, brighten, and dim states respectively. Average system response time for the smart plug was found to be 31 and 22 seconds with an accuracy of 100% and 92% for its on and off states respectively.