Dr. Kynan Eng

 

Main Goals, Keywords

Exploitation of computational principles used in the brain for novel applications. In particular, we are working on virtual-reality based neurorehabilitation systems, human-machine interaction and tactile sensing. We also conduct experiments on healthy subjects and patients (psychophysics, physiological recording) to ground the development of these applications.

Keywords: Neuroinformatics, human-computer interaction, neurorehabilitation, psychophysics, neuroimaging

Group Members

1 group leader, 2 PhD student, 2 technician

Previous and Current Research

Interactive virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to both voluntarily engage users for extended periods of time and to manipulate their body image. When combined, these two capabilities of VR may have high potential to improve clinical neurorehabilitation. Patients are induced to actively engage in tasks in a virtual environment that supports and rewards movements of virtual representations of their limbs, with the task difficulty and level of support being adjusted as the patient recovers. We are constructing and testing patient-optimized VR systems, and conducting psychophysical and neuroimaging experiments with healthy subjects to verify the ideas behind these systems. In other past and present projects we investigate methods for quantification of arm and hand motor learning, spike-based learning of topology and object representations, group interactions with mixed-reality environments and neuromorphic tactile sensing.

Future Projects

• Extension of our VR rehabilitation system to incorporate biofeedback signals
• Investigation of methods for low-cost, effective quantification of arm, hand and finger movements in free space and on manipulated objects

Techniques and Equipment

Virtual reality hardware (tracking systems) and software (gaming engines), computer-aided design and graphics software, PCB design software & electronics workshop, laser machining & vacuum forming machines, psychophysics test apparatus (physiological recording hardware, touch screen, MIDI keyboards)

Selected Publications

• Boerlin, M., Delbruck, T., Eng, K., Getting to Know Your Neighbors: Unsupervised Learning of Topography from Real-World, Event-Based Input. Neural Comput. 21(1): 216-238 (2009).
  
• Haegni, K., Eng, K., Hepp-Reymond, M.-C., Holper, L., Keisker, B., Siekierka, E. Kiper, D. Imagined ownership of a virtual arm increases the galvanic skin response to a threat. PLoS ONE 3(8): e3082 (2008).
  
• Eng, K.: Miniaturized Human 3D Motion Input, in: Human-Computer Interaction: New Developments.  I-Tech Education and Publishing, 231-242. Asai, K (ed.) (2008).
  

Selected Lectures, Seminars or Colloquia

• Computational Neuroscience (block course)
• Systems Neuroscience (block course)

Funding

NCCR in Neural Plasticity and Repair, International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia, ETH Zurich

URL

http://www.ini.ethz.ch/~kynan/