BACh (Brain Automated Chorales) estimates brain workload using fNIRS to measure oxygen in the prefrontal cortex to help beginners learn to play Bach chorales. The system offers new lessons when the brain isn’t overloaded with information.
Tufts Beste Yuksel and Robert Jacob, who developed the technology, believe that it can help with any type of learning, and specify math, engineering, programming, language and reading as examples.
In a recent study, 16 inexperienced piano players attempted to learn two chorales, one with the system’s assistance, and one with out. BACh first gave the musicians only the soprano line. When their cognitive load fell below a certain threshold, it added the bass part, then later the alto and tenor parts. After 15 minutes, the pianists played more accurately and faster with BACh than without. Beginners saw more progress than intermediate level players.
The fNIRS machine is large, and Yuksel and Jacob are now working on a mobile system, which could incorporate emotion monitoring and feedback.
Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center
NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center
Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences
NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences