School of Computing lecturer Dr Veronica Liesaputra showed the Otago Daily Times yesterday a drone powered by a headset measuring the brain’s electroencephalogram (EEG) activity.
The artificial intelligence software in the headset compiled all the EEG activity to determine whether the wearer was showing signs of depression or anxiety.
The drone moved in different ways depending on the headset-wearer’s brain activity or mood.
"We’ve been wanting to use artificial intelligence in the mental health space for a long time.
The drone acted as a visual aid for the patient while the data set was being collected.
The opportunities for this project were huge, she said.
"The technology is getting better and better, but the brain signals are hard to read because of all the noise.
"For this to actually work effectively, we’re wanting to advance the AI side of it, and also work with doctors in helping them make better clinical diagnoses."
The School of Computing was working alongside the psychology and the neuroscience departments on the project.
"Our goal is to make this technology portable, like something as small as a smartwatch, which the owner could use to monitor their mental health.
"For it to be used in real life in terms of diagnosing depression, we want the AI software not only to measure the signals, but explain why it could be happening."
Students were enjoying working on the project.
"When we treat mental health, we focus a lot on the physical side of wellbeing, but we don’t focus as much on the health of the brain and the importance of relaxation.
"Just sometimes naming what you have can help, and make it seem less scary for the patient."
The project was likely to continue for five to 10 years.
"It’s been really exciting working alongside clinical psychologists and other researchers; they’ve been so helpful.
"What’s surprised me the most is the richness of the data we are collecting.
"We take for granted how much the brain can control."
Recently, Neuralink founder Elon Musk said the first human had received one of its implants and was recovering well.
"We’re not planning to install chips in anybody’s brain," Dr Liesaputra said.
"But it is amazing how much the technology has advanced, and how well you can train your brain.
"We’re really going places."
