AttentivU

AttentivU is a family of wireless head-worn wearable devices which enable physiological sensing like brain activity (EEG) or eye movements (EOG) for effective health management. AttentivU is currently most commonly used as a pair of wireless glasses with EEG and EOG electrodes and on-device, real-time, closed-loop feedback options. AttentivU was tested in an office environment, automotive scenarios, and as a supporting platform for continuous physiological monitoring in-home setup.

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For the past 2.5 years, we have been developing a hardware system called AttentivU. AttentivU is a physiological sensing platform for monitoring and measuring brain activity, eye movements and other biosignals in compact and wearable form-factors. AttentivU was initially developed and presented in the form factor of a pair of glasses, which senses brain activity (EEG) as well as eye movements (EOG), and heart rate (HRV) to measure different cognitive processes in real time, including cognitive load, fatigue, engagement, and attention. The device can be used for passive or active interventions, for example to monitor the state of the user, provide gentle audio or haptic feedback when the user is less attentive or adapting the environment when cognitive overload is detected. Audio and haptic feedback options are incorporated on device, making AttentivU a closed-loop and real-time system. The current version of AttentivU is being integrated as a clip-on solution for Oculus Rift, Hololens 2, as well as glasses, see figures below.

The system can operate in a standalone, non-networked fashion to ensure privacy of the collected data. The use of the AttentivU system can be limited to just those moments when the user decides they want to learn to sustain their attention.
We have tested the first generation prototype in the workplace and in learning settings with over 100 subjects. We performed experiments with people studying or working by themselves, viewing online lectures as well as listening to a professor at the university. We have now completed the first test of the glasses prototype with more than 30 subjects who were performing a driving task in a simulator overnight when their attention waned, and the system reminded them with a sound or with a vibration to pay attention to the road. This research paper was rewarded with the honorable mention award at the 2019 AutoUI conference. Please check the dedicated page about the car use case scenarios on the MIT website.

AttentivU Version 2 is the latest model of our glasses, which features several improvements in size, battery, and power consumption from AttentivU V1. Please check the dedicated website of AttentivU project here as well as a separate webpage about VR/AR clip-on solutions for brain sensing we have developed here.