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About the NAFAS project
Neuroadaptivity for Autonomous Systems (NAFAS); an endeavor funded by the German federal agency Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit - “Innovation for Cybersecurity" that seeks to revolutionize human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence through neuroadaptive technology. With a 30 million euro investment, this funding is the largest single-financed research project in the European Union.
NAFAS’ main goal is to develop neurotechnological prototypes to simplify communication between humans and partially autonomous systems. And enable artificial intelligence to directly learn from the human brain to adopt skills and understand human values.
Merging human cognition and values with AI
With the NAFAS project, we are creating a future in which human cognition and human values merge with artificial intelligence, leading to a new generation of technology that enables safer and more personalized interaction between humans and computers.
Mobile EEG suite
Mobile, self-applying comfortable electrodes and miniature amplifiers with dedicated BCI hardware. This compact and efficient hardware will have an extended battery life suitable for prolonged use in everyday settings.
Security and privacy
User autonomy, transparency and robust data protection measures to safely decode sensitive data.The universal classifiers will be implemented directly in hardware giving users maximum authority over their data: they will have full, physical control over the decoding process, ensuring no raw brain activity leaks out.
Universal classifiers
The development of universal classifiers will enable real-time interpretation of brain activity in different individuals without the need for individual calibration. A large-scale data collection project (4,000 data sets) will form the basis for these classifiers.
Multidimensional mental states (MDMS) and context awareness
Brain activity reflects the immense complexity of human intelligence. Rather than reducing it to a single bit of information, our universal classifiers take brain activity and decode it into multiple simultaneous mental processes. The interplay of these processes provides real insights into human cognition. These insights become even more valuable when combined with an awareness of the environment in which cognition takes place. Our platform links the decoded brain activity with aspects of the context, providing a unique understanding of the user's intentions, goals and preferences.
NAFAS advisory team
The NAFAS initiative has the potential to set new scientific standards in neuroscience. This project aims to enable humans and computers to collaborate, perform actions, pursue goals and share information, with the security and privacy of brain data being of paramount importance. A panel of experts will oversee progress throughout the life of the project, providing continuous advise on how the highest ethical and scientific standards can be met at every step.
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Our NAFAS journey
Despite technological advances, computers are still unable to understand and respond to human emotions, cognitive processes and situational contexts. This limitation has led to less effective human-computer interaction, and the NAFAS project seeks to bridge the gap between human cognition and technology to achieve better communication between humans and technology.
Neural human-computer interaction without invasive interventions
We will develop a neurotechnological prototype capable of extracting information from the brain so that a person can exchange information with an external system using only their brain. This brain-based information exchange can be used, for example, to instruct a computer to perform a task or to teach an artificial intelligence new skills.
The beginning of a new era in human-computer interaction
Through neuroadaptive human-computer interaction and neuroadaptive artificial intelligence, Zander Labs researchers will go beyond traditional human-computer interaction techniques to facilitate the development of a deeply personalized technological user experience and improve the efficiency of autonomous systems.
Decoding brain activity for AI learning
During the research process, both hardware and software are developed to decode brain activity safely and effectively. On this basis, the activity is translated into categories and transferred to artificial systems so that they are able to interpret human mental states in any context.
A transformative leap into the future
The goal is to explore a new generation of machines that can adapt in real time to the user's cognitive and affective states to personalize the user experience and improve the efficiency of autonomous systems without the need for manual input.
NAFAS research team
The NAFAS project is led by Professor Dr. Thorsten O. Zander, a pioneer in the field of passive brain-computer interfaces and neuroadaptive technology, who also serves as CTO of Zander Labs, —and by Moti Geva, Sr. Project Director of Zander Labs and Chairman of the NAFAS Steering Committee.
Collaborations
and partnerships in the
NAFAS project
Fraunhofer IDMT specializes in the research and development of digital media technologies, multimedia communication and human-computer interaction. As a strategic partner for the NAFAS project, together with Zander Labs they will develop modern, unobtrusive hardware for next-generation mobile EEG devices that are suitable for everyday use.
As a leading center for research and teaching, BTU places a strong emphasis on applied research and works closely with industry partners to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.
The University of Vienna is known for its high-quality research and teaching and has state-of-the-art research facilities and a strong international network of academic partners. The university will collaborate on the development of AI learning.
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A public research university with a rich history of academic excellence.
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Eaglescience is committed to designing, developing and maintaining high-quality, customized IT solutions. They will work with NAFAS on software development. They will work with NAFAS on software development.
A leading manufacturer of high-quality neurophysiological research equipment as well as software solutions for data analysis and interpretation. The company will provide cutting-edge technology for the NAFAS project.
TNO is a leading independent research organization in the Netherlands. Its main objective is to apply scientific knowledge to strengthen industry and government through technological innovation and practical applications. It will collaborate with NAFAS on some of the project’s demonstrators.
