Could EEG tech unlock the secrets of the canine brain? A new study presents a portable, low-cost EEG prototype using NeuroSky to analyse dog cognition in real-time.
A pioneering study by Villalobos & Gamero-V. (2024), presented at the IEEE CONESCAPAN Conference, introduces a lightweight, affordable EEG prototype designed specifically for dogs. By combining the NeuroSky chip, Arduino Uno, and MindFlex components, the researchers successfully created a device capable of recording real-time brainwave data in canines during natural activities.
The prototype was tested on two dogs of the same breed but different ages — a 5-year-old adult and a puppy under 9 months. Signal processing was managed via MATLAB, enabling accurate analysis of electroencephalographic activity. The researchers found the system effective in both capturing and interpreting data, with applications ranging from cognitive development tracking to behavioural diagnostics.
This low-cost EEG setup marks a major step forward for veterinary neuroscience, offering a comfortable and accessible method to study the inner workings of the canine mind. As tools like these become more refined, they hold promise for advancing our understanding of cognition, stress, learning, and emotional states in dogs — potentially transforming training, welfare, and diagnosis.
Presented at IEEE CONESCAPAN Conference, September 2024
