Dipartimento di Ingegneria informatica, automatica e gestionale

In ottemperanza ai requisiti previsti dalla procedura valutativa ai fini della chiamata a Professore di II Fascia ai sensi dell’art. 24, comma 5 L. 240/2010 per il Settore Concorsuale 09/IBIO-01 (ex 09/G2) – Settore Scientifico Disciplinare IBIO-01/A (ex ING-INF/06) presso il Dipartimento di Ingegneria informatica, automatica e gestionale Antonio Ruberti, il giorno

mercoledì 5 marzo 2025 alle ore 12:00

Pietro Aricò, a seguito dell'esito positivo ottenuto nella procedura, terrà presso questo dipartimento un seminario sulle attività di ricerca svolte e in corso di svolgimento, in modalità mista:

• presso l'Aula Magna del DIAG
• in collegamento Zoom al link https://uniroma1.zoom.us/j/84822596267

Titolo:

Passive Brain-Computer Interfaces: From Research to Real-World Applications

Abstract:

In recent years, electroencephalography (EEG)-based passive brain-computer interfaces (pBCIs) have gained increasing attention due to their potential to enhance human performance, safety, and well-being across various real-world scenarios. These systems enable the non-intrusive, real-time monitoring of users' mental and emotional states, facilitating improved human-machine interaction (HMI), adaptive automation, and cognitive workload management. By leveraging neurophysiological signals such as EEG, electrodermal activity (EDA), and photoplethysmography (PPG), pBCIs provide objective insights into workload, attention, fatigue, and stress, making them valuable tools in critical environments such as aviation, healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous systems.
Recent technological advancements have significantly contributed to the transition of pBCIs from laboratory research to real-world deployment. Improvements in wearable EEG sensors, signal processing algorithms, and artificial intelligence-driven classification techniques have enhanced the reliability, usability, and accessibility of these systems. Additionally, the development of dry electrodes, cloud-based data processing, and advanced front-end interfaces has facilitated their integration into consumer-grade applications, broadening their reach beyond specialized research settings.
Despite these advancements, several challenges remain, including inter-individual variability in neural signals, robustness to environmental noise, and user adaptation over time. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the widespread adoption and effectiveness of pBCI technologies.
This talk will provide a comprehensive overview of the methodological steps involved in designing effective passive BCI systems, highlighting common pitfalls, best practices, and emerging trends. Furthermore, real-world case studies will be presented to illustrate successful applications and ongoing developments in the field. The session will also discuss future directions for scaling pBCI technology, exploring its potential role in shaping the next generation of human-centered computing and neuroadaptive technologies.

Bio sketch:

Pietro Aricò is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor (RTD-B) in Biomedical Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. He holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the same institution and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna. His research focuses on the evaluation of mental and cognitive states, particularly in passive Brain-Computer Interfaces (pBCIs), leveraging neurophysiological signals such as EEG, EDA, and PPG to enhance human-machine interaction (HMI) in real-world applications.
During his Ph.D. in Bioengineering, which began in 2010, he started working on the concept of pBCIs, focusing on decoding mental and emotional states for adaptive systems in out-of-the-lab contexts. Over the years, he has developed strong collaborations with academic and industrial partners, working on bridging the gap between experimental research and real-world applications.
Dr. Aricò has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, securing funding for 17 projects, including 11 as Principal Investigator (PI).
He has authored over 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributions to international conferences, with an h-index of 34 and more than 3,300 citations (Scopus, 2025). His contributions also include a patent, high-impact publications, and multiple research awards.
Dr. Aricò currently serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, and Brain Organoid and System Neuroscience. Additionally, he is a Guest Editor for various international journals in applied neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces. He also serves as a reviewer for high-impact scientific journals and has been invited as a keynote speaker and lecturer at numerous international conferences and scientific schools. He has supervised several Ph.D. students and research fellows, contributing to the training of young researchers in biomedical engineering.