Comparing mouse and steady-state visual evoked response-based control

Future computers will be more mobile, which will require new interaction methods. Accordingly, one might harness electroencephalographic (EEG) activity for computer control. Such devices exist, but all have limitations. Therefore, a novel EEG-based control was tested, which monitors the Steady-State Visual Evoked Response (SSVER). Selections are attempted by fixating a flickering target. A selection occurs if a SSVER is detected. To assess the device's relative performance, a mouse and the SSVER-based control were used to acquire targets of various sizes and distances. Accuracy and speed were measured. Overall, accuracy was poorer and acquisition times were longer with the SSVER-based control. However, the performance levels attained by the SSVER-based control might be adequate when manual controls are problematic, such as in assistive technology applications. In addition, in contrast to the mouse, SSVER-based acquisition times were insensitive to variations in target distance, which might serve as an operational advantage in certain applications.