NAFAS

Neuroadaptivity for Autonomous Systems

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 contract, the largest of its kind in the European Union, we are developing and delivering breakthrough neurotechnology.

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 advice on how the highest ethical and scientific standards can be met at every step.

Prof. Dr. Stefan Debener

Scientific Advisor

Prof. Dr. Pim Haselager

Ethics Advisor

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

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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.

Project updates

Selected writing on the NAFAS project from our Publications section.

See all publications