Use of Brain-Computer Interfaces Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

Abstract

This is an open-access ar cle distributed under the terms of the Crea ve Commons A ribu on Non-commercial License (h p://crea vecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0), which permits use, distribu on, and reproduc on in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license.Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are devices that enable transmission of signals outside the nervous system without engaging muscles. One of the fi elds in which BCI can be used is aviation and astronautics. However, the way of assessing the utility of BCIs under specifi c conditions of fl ight and outer space is controversial. This review aims to present the limitations of future use of brain-computer interfaces under extreme environmental conditions as well as to indicate the direction for further research that could overcome these limitations. Systematic review.In the fi rst part, we present basic information on the subject of brain-computer interfaces and how they work as well as characterize invasive and noninvasive methods of registering brain activity in such devices. Subsequently, we describe the most popular types of brain-computer interfaces in terms of their diff erences regarding the speed of information processing, mechanisms and time needed to master their use. Then, we propose the ways in which brain-computer systems could be used in aviation and astronautics and describe the basic conditions under which they could be used in natural environments. We also analyze the infl uence of extreme environments on the physiological and psychological functioning of people.