ASSISTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
MULTI-INSTITUTE ACADEMIC COURSE

BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES

The course is dedicated to teaching the theory and practice of developing brain-computer interfaces(BCI). The students learn about:

EEG sensors and data acquisition
Digital preprocessing and feature extraction
Machine learning classification algorithms
User interfaces and IoT

The course offers Matlab & Python based functions and architecture, ready for implementation using open-source toolboxes.

ALS MENTORS

Through collaboration with the IsrALS foundation, the students are teamed with volunteer ALS mentors. The BCI tools are then individually customized to fit the physical needs of the mentor while the algorithms are optimized to the mentor's
specific brain signals.

COMMUNICATION
SOLUTIONS

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) gradually lose the ability to communicate, relying on eye-tracking or other assistive communication devices. As the disease progresses, some patients are unable to use these as well, leaving them without any means of expression with their family and caretakers.

We are creating solutions for this problem.

REAL-WORLD
PROBLEM SOLVING

Every ALS patient has specific and individual needs that need identifying and characterizing. Solutions that range from "Help" buttons, playing with their children, and manipulating microscopes. Each challenge is met by a dedicated team of students which work to apply a BCI solution to the problem.

SOCIAL IMPACT

We believe in translational science that harnesses cutting-edge research to transform people's lives, create and encourage beneficial social impact.

COLLABORATIONS
& MORE INFO

We are always looking for collaborators and partners that will allow us to grow and improve the project. We aim to provide the tailor-made BCI systems to the mentors for as long as they are needed.

BCI4ALS@gmail.com

Meet The Team

Lahav Foox

Project leader

In his PhD thesis, Lahav is using EEG methodologies to research the neural mechanisms involved in learning and cognitive workload. Before pursuing his PhD in computational neuroscience, Lahav has served for 22 years as an officer in the Israeli Air Force.

Dr. Oren Shriki

Project academic lead

Oren is the head of the cognitive and brain sciences department at Ben Gurion University. His research uses mathematical analyses of brain activity and a wide range of machine learning algorithms to develop BCI and novel diagnostic tools for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Asaf Harel

Project Software lead

In his PhD thesis, Asaf is researching Brain-Computer Interfaces using attention modulation of visually evoked potentials in EEG signals. Asaf is also the founder and head of BrainstormIL, a non-profit organization advancing Israel's neurotech sector.

Or Rabani

Project Hardware lead

In her PhD thesis, Or is researching computational aspects of neural architecture involved in decision making. Or has extensive experience with hardware prototyping, and serves as a board member at BrainstormIL, a non-profit organization advancing Israel's neurotech sector.