Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems 2015; aop

Grzegorz M. Wójcik*, Piotr Wierzgała and Anna Gajos

Evaluation of Emotiv EEG neuroheadset

DOI 10.1515/bams-2015-0026
Received August 11, 2015; accepted September 7, 2015
Abstract: Electroencephalography (EEG) has become more
popular, and as a result, the market grows with new EEG
products. The new EEG solutions offer higher mobility, eas-
ier application, and lower price. One of such devices that
recently became popular is Emotiv EEG. It has been already
tested in various applications concerning brain-computer
interfaces, neuromarketing, language processing, and
detection of the P-300 component, with a general result that
it is capable of recording satisfying research data. However,
no one has tested and described its usefulness in long-term
research. This article presents experience from using Emo-
tiv EEG in two research projects that involved 39 subjects
for 22 sessions. Emotiv EEG has significant technical issues
concerning the quality of its screw threads. Two complete
and successful solutions to this problem are described.
Keywords: computer-aided design (CAD) modelling; elec-
troencephalography (EEG); Emotiv; three-dimensional
(3D) printing.
In comparison with other medical/research devices
such as the ANT system (Advanced Neuro Technology,
ANT, Enschede, The Netherlands), ActiCap system (Brain
Products, Munich, Germany), and traditional silver/silver
chloride disc electrodes, Emotiv EEG performs worse but
satisfies for non-clinical applications [2, 9, 12].
The plastic-based screw threads in the Emotiv headset
may easily break if not used carefully [9]. From our expe-
rience, the problem is much more serious because screw
threads break even when they are handled with care
(Figures 1 and 2).
Our series of EEG experiments utilized four Emotiv
EEG headsets. Each of the 24 students participated in
10 sessions, and one session lasted about 45 min. Toward
the end of the project, all (n = 64) screw threads broke and
were no longer suitable for use. We reported the problem
to an Emotiv employee, who replied that the sensors are
made of polycarbonate (with a small percentage of acry-
lonitrile butadiene styrene [ABS]), a high-quality plastic
that is also used in bulletproof glass. The Emotiv employee
added that very few plastics are better suited for this
application and that screw threads break when handled
roughly. We were advised to put as little force as needed to

Introduction feel a slight click when the screw thread is locked in place.
We have handled our screw threads exactly the way the
company advised, but they still had a tendency to break.
Emotiv EEG (Emotiv EPOC/EEG, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong)
The most straightforward way to solve this problem
is a low-cost, multichannel, wireless electroencephalo-
is to order a new sensor pack. Unfortunately, the com-
gram (EEG) designed for research. It internally samples
pany’s shipping policy is hardly acceptable to many cus-
EEG signals at a frequency of 2048 Hz, which are then
tomers. In case of accessories, orders with a minimum of
downsampled to 128 Hz, and sends the data to a computer
two items for shipping to other countries, except the USA,
via Bluetooth. The headset utilizes 14 gold-plated sensors
is separately charged with transportation costs per item
positioned in accordance to the 10-20 system [1]: AF3,
regardless of size and weight.
AF4, F7, F3, F4, F8, FC5, FC6, T7, T8, P7, P3, P4, P8, O1, O2.
Ordering a new set of sensors for every couple of
Moistening of polyester felt pads and applying headset to
research sessions is unacceptable for a device whose one
patient’s head take up to 10 min and do not require any
of the main advantages is its low price. Sensors are con-
exterior assistance.
sumable items and need replacement after some time, but
Emotiv has been already used in various researches
such a fast consumption was unexpected. This might be a
concerning brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) [2–6], neu-
serious problem for many researchers because damaged
romarketing [7], language processing [8], detection of the
screw threads keep falling out of the headset, which makes
P-300 component [9, 10], and virtual reality [11].
its application very inconvenient or even impossible.
The goal of this article is to share with the commu-
*Corresponding author: Grzegorz M. Wójcik, University of
nity some techniques to extend the lifespan of the Emotiv
Economics and Innovation, Projektowa 4, 20-209 Lublin, Poland,
E-mail: gmwojcik@wsei.lublin.pl
equipment. With the growing popularity of Emotiv EEGs, it
Piotr Wierzgała and Anna Gajos: University of Economics and is important for other researchers to know issues inherent
Innovation, Lublin, Poland in their device of choice. The presented case is not the sole

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2      Wójcik et al.: Evaluation of Emotiv EEG
Figure 1: A set of damaged screw threads.
Figure 2: Undamaged latch (left, front only) and damaged latch (right).
instance because there are other researchers [9] and users
[13] who either noticed similar problems or experienced
them. Although it is possible to keep ordering new screw
threads from the manufacturer, it may be unacceptable for
some projects because of cumulative costs and time needed
for shipment. This article provides the best practices and
proven solutions to handle Emotiv EEG screw threads issues.
Materials and methods
To ensure a longer life for the screw threads, they can be
left fitted to a headset. It will decrease the possibility of
damaging the screw thread. In such case, only the felt pads
should be pulled out and stored in the hydrator pack. This
will additionally reduce the amount of time the saline is
in contact with the sensor plate, which causes oxidization.
Each headset has two rubber comfort pads, which are
assembled with the same screw threads as the electrodes.
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These screw threads may be used as a replacement parts
in an emergency.
Our first approach was to create a screw thread with
lathe and milling machines. A technical drawing was pre-
pared and given to an engineer operating the machines.
The lathe was used to cut the shape of a screw thread,
whereas the milling machine was used to create the details.
The second approach was to make a three-dimensional
(3D) screw thread model and print it with a 3D printer.
The model was created in a computer-aided design (CAD)
system and printed with a BFB-3000 3D Touch printer.
Researchers willing to reproduce the results presented
in this article can use the wireframe projections in the
appendix. The projections provide all the necessary meas-
urements and were successfully used in both approaches
presented.
Results
Two types of materials were tested during the production
process: polyamide PA-6 (Figure 3) and polioksymety-
len POM-C (Figure 4). In the end, polyamide was used
to make all the screw threads because it was more con-
venient to cut precisely. Two milling cutters with 0.6- and
1.0-mm diameters were used. Most parts of the screw
thread were made with the 1.0-mm cutter. The 0.6-mm
cutter was necessary to cut a small bump in a latch. The
engineer needed approximately 30  min to create one
screw thread.
The quality of the printed screw thread was lower
compared with the milled one. A single line of melted
plastic was set to 0.125 mm, which is the highest precision
for the BFB-3000 printer. Despite this, the printed screw
thread (Figures  5 and 6) had noticeable irregularities in
the area of the latch. The material used for printing was
ABS. The printed screw thread was usable but tends to fall
Figure 3: Screw thread made from polyamide PA-6.

Figure 4: Screw thread made from polioksymetylen POM-C.
Figure 5: Screw thread 3D CAD model.
Figure 6: Screw thread printed with BFB-3000 3D Touch.
out of a socket because of insufficient printing precision
in the area of the latch.
There are several alternative low-cost EEGs available
on the market. Portelli et  al. [14] compared the cost per
channel of four EEGs, TrueScan32 (DeyMed Diagnostics,
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Wójcik et al.: Evaluation of Emotiv EEG      3
Payette, ID, USA), ActiveTwo Analog Input Box (BioSemi,
Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Easy II EEG PSG Machine
(Cadwell, Kennewick, WA, USA), 2EB Clinical System
(BrainMaster Technologies, Bedford, OH, USA), and
selected TrueScan32 as the most attractive option with
respect to their criteria.
Other interesting options are Atlantis I, Atlantis II,
Discovery 24E (BrainMaster Technologies), Mitsar EEG
201 System, Mitsar 202 24, Mitsar 202 32 (Mitsar, St. Peters-
burg, Russia), and OpenBCI.
Owing to better properties, the screw threads created by
the engineer were used in the second EEG project involving
15 subjects for 12 sessions, 30 min each. In contrast to the
original screw threads used in the first project, none of the
self-made screw threads were damaged or had signs of wear
at the end. Although the 3D printing method was not chosen,
it seems to be very promising, especially with increas-
ing precision of the printing process. Within 2 months, we
have managed to produce significantly better and cheaper
screw threads then the original ones, which might indicate
that Emotiv sensors are meant to have limited useful life.
Planned obsolescence puts consumer under pressure to
purchase again in order to continue use of the product, and
it might be especially beneficial for a company if there is no
competing manufacturer on the market.
The advantages of Emotiv EEG are its low price, mobil-
ity, and short setup time. Unfortunately, the increasing pop-
ularity of Emotiv EEG seems to be undermined by its low
quality. Although Emotiv claims to use high-quality plastic
for their screw threads, our experience shows otherwise.
Similar observations have been made by other researchers
[9] and Emotiv forum users [13]. The signal from the Emotiv
headset was also noted to degrade significantly between
the second and third hours of use and that the headset may
cause discomfort after 1 h of use [12].
Researchers who have chosen Emotiv and are willing
to extend the lifespan of the original sensors should be
careful not to screw them out from the headset between
experiments. Because it is possible to damage a couple
of screw threads during one experiment session, it may
be a good idea to order Emotiv headset with at least one
extra hydrator pack or to self-produce a set of replacement
screw threads before starting a research.
Discussion and conclusions
BCIs may become more popular with many prospective
applications [15–17], thanks to the cheap EEG systems
appearing on the market [18]. Despite the fact that
Emotiv EEG was handled with care, toward the end of the
4      Wójcik et al.: Evaluation of Emotiv EEG

neurofeedback experiment, all the screw threads used to Marcin Smolira, Krzysztof Dmitruk, and Ewa Bogucińska
fit sensors in a headset were damaged and could not used. for their support and assistance.
Two solutions concerning self-made replacement parts of
defective elements have been proposed. Screw threads Author contributions: All the authors have accepted
made with lathe and milling machines proved to be very responsibility for the entire content of this submitted
robust and cost-effective. They were tested in similar con- manuscript and approved submission.
ditions as the screw threads provided with the headsets. Research funding: None declared.
After the project ended, all the self-made screw threads Employment or leadership: None declared.
were still usable and had no signs of wear. Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played
Acknowledgments: This research has been supported by no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and
University of Economics and Innovation in Lublin, Poland interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the
(grant no. 12/OP/4/2013/). The authors would like to thank decision to submit the report for publication.

Appendix
16.90 mm

14.50 mm

11.00 mm
A–A

21° 34°

40°
124°

80
124°

80

°
34° 0.88 mm
21°
°
1.00 mm

40

40
°

80°

B
2.20 mm 2.40 mm
5.80 mm

A A
mm mm
.25 .10
R0 R0

3.99 mm 2.26 mm 3.53 mm

12.50 mm

C
B

B–B
16.90 mm
R0

C 11.00 mm
.57

4.67 mm
57
mm

0.
R

0.07 mm

1.18 mm

4.40 mm
6.00 mm

0.60 mm

2.34 mm
0.29 mm

2.26 mm 3.44 mm

5.80 mm
0.75 mm

 Wireframe projections for CAD 3D printout solutions.

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