Backyard Brains’ Spiker:bit Turns Biological Signals Into BMIs for Any Number of Projects
Spiker:bit is an easy-to-use kit that lets anyone build interactive inventions controlled by their brainwaves, heartbeats, and muscles.
Backyard Brains has launched a new Kickstarter campaign for Spiker:bit, which allows anyone to convert their own bioelectrical signals, such as brainwaves (EEG), muscle activity (EMG), and heartbeats (EKG), into interactive projects using a simple plug-and-play system combined with drag-and-drop coding via the BBC micro:bit.
The platform supports real-time biofeedback, enabling users to view their physiological signals and utilize them to control motors, lights, sounds, and more in brain-machine interface (BMI) projects. For example, users can flex a muscle to move a servo, blink to play a game, or sync your heartbeat to LED patterns, all without experience in coding or neuroscience. The Spiker:bit is also classroom-ready, portable, and affordable, aiming to democratize STEM education by utilizing complex BMI interface concepts accessible to students as young as 10.
Snap in a pair of AA batteries, attach reusable skin electrodes, and users are up and running in less than five minutes. Spiker:bit leverages a visual coding environment based on the micro:bit’s drag-and-drop blocks, making it ideal for students, while supporting Python and JavaScript for more advanced users as well.
The system is supported by NIH-funded scientists and has already been implemented in classrooms, makerspaces, and research labs worldwide. Students have built a myriad of muscle-controlled projects using Spiker:bit, including a dinosaur game, a Morse code messenger, and a two-player "tug of war."
The Spiker:bit comes in kit form, and consists of a Spiker:bit amplifier board, electrode cables, muscle electrodes, a battery pack, and tutorials for both block-based and text-based programming. Optional accessories include EEG headbands, servo motor kits, extra electrodes, and even a DIY neuro-prosthetic hand.
Backyard Brains also includes classroom-ready resources, such as free lesson plans, science standards alignment, setup guides, and cross-curricular experiments that range from biology and coding to design and implementation. The Spiker:bit is currently being crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with pledges starting at $70 for early bird pricing.