The SIPLAB (Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab) at ETH Zürich, an interdisciplinary research lab working on egocentric perception, computational interaction, and digital biomarkers, recently acquired a DSI-24 wireless EEG system with VR integration from NEUROSPEC. Led by Associate Professor Christian Holz, the laboratory specializes in mixed reality, human-computer interaction, and machine learning applications requiring precise physiological monitoring during immersive experiences.
The SIPLAB employs the DSI-24 system to conduct groundbreaking research on cybersickness - the discomfort and disorientation experienced by users during virtual reality interactions. Their research examines the neurophysiological correlates of cybersickness onset, progression, and mitigation strategies through continuous EEG monitoring during VR exposure.
The experimental paradigm involves participants experiencing various VR environments with different motion profiles, visual complexity levels, and stereoscopic depth cues while their neural activity is continuously recorded. The DSI-24's wireless architecture enables unrestricted movement within VR spaces, allowing researchers to study cybersickness under naturalistic interaction conditions.
Key research objectives include identifying EEG biomarkers that predict individual susceptibility to cybersickness, developing real-time detection algorithms for adaptive VR systems, and understanding the temporal dynamics of neural adaptation to virtual environments. The research has significant implications for VR system design, user experience optimization, and therapeutic applications of virtual reality technology.
The DSI-24 represents the pinnacle of VR-compatible EEG technology, specifically engineered to address the unique challenges of neural recording during immersive virtual experiences. The system provides full head coverage with 19 electrodes positioned according to the 10-20 International System, 2 earclip sensors, and 3 built-in auxiliary inputs for additional sensor integration.
Advanced Dry Electrode Technology: The DSI-24's revolutionary QUASAR dry electrode architecture eliminates the preparation time and artifacts associated with traditional gel-based systems. Key technical specifications include:
EMI Immunity and Motion Artifact Reduction:
VR Integration Specifications:
NEUROSPEC configured the DSI-24 specifically for SIPLAB's cybersickness research requirements:
Frequency Domain Optimization: The system's 24-bit delta-sigma ADC architecture provides exceptional resolution for detecting subtle EEG changes associated with cybersickness onset. Sampling at 300Hz with anti-aliasing filters enables analysis of both traditional EEG frequency bands and higher-frequency artifacts indicative of discomfort responses.
Synchronization with VR Systems: The DSI-24's trigger input interface enables precise temporal alignment between EEG recordings and VR environmental events. This synchronization is critical for identifying neural responses to specific visual stimuli, motion profiles, or interaction events that trigger cybersickness symptoms.
Motion Tolerance for Dynamic VR: The spring-loaded electrode mechanism maintains consistent scalp contact during head movements, essential for studying cybersickness during active VR navigation. The wireless architecture eliminates cable-related motion artifacts that could contaminate EEG signals during dynamic VR tasks.
NEUROSPEC recommended the DSI-24 for SIPLAB's cybersickness studies based on several critical technical advantages specific to VR research applications:
Electromagnetic Compatibility: The individual Faraday cage architecture around each electrode provides unprecedented immunity to electromagnetic interference from VR headsets, tracking systems, and wireless communications, ensuring clean EEG signals in complex VR laboratory environments.
Rapid Setup for Repeated Measurements: The dry electrode system requires only 1 minute for cleaning and 3 minutes for drying between participants, enabling efficient data collection across multiple subjects during cybersickness susceptibility studies.
Comfort for Extended VR Sessions: The lightweight, wireless design allows participants to wear the system comfortably during extended VR exposures necessary for studying cybersickness development and adaptation processes.
Real-Time Processing Capabilities: The system's low-latency data transmission enables real-time cybersickness detection algorithms that can trigger adaptive VR responses or experimental interventions based on neural indicators.
The DSI-24 implementation has enabled SIPLAB to achieve several breakthrough methodological capabilities in cybersickness research:
Continuous Neural Monitoring: The system's motion artifact resistance allows uninterrupted EEG recording during dynamic VR interactions, providing complete temporal profiles of cybersickness development from onset through resolution.
Individual Susceptibility Profiling: High-quality dry electrode recordings enable identification of baseline EEG patterns that predict individual cybersickness susceptibility, supporting personalized VR experience optimization.
Real-Time Biomarker Detection: The system's processing capabilities support development of real-time cybersickness detection algorithms based on spectral power changes, connectivity patterns, and artifact-corrected signal features.
Multi-Modal Integration: The auxiliary input channels facilitate integration with additional physiological sensors (ECG, GSR, eye-tracking) for comprehensive cybersickness assessment combining neural, autonomic, and behavioral measures.
NEUROSPEC's technical expertise and DSI-24 system provision to ETH SIPLAB demonstrates our leadership in VR-compatible neurophysiological monitoring solutions. The successful implementation validates our understanding of the complex technical requirements for EEG recording during immersive virtual experiences.
This collaboration exemplifies how specialized dry electrode EEG technology can enable breakthrough research methodologies in human-computer interaction and virtual reality applications, positioning NEUROSPEC as the preferred partner for cutting-edge VR neuroscience research at leading academic institutions.
Read more about the research SIPLAB is conducting and their recent findings in Continuous Cybersickness Detection Using EEG-based Multitaper Spectrum Estimation.
