On the Use of Cognitive Neuroscience in Industrial Applications by Using Neuroelectromagnetic Recordings

Nowadays there is an emerging interest to apply the cognitive neuroscience recent scientific findings into the industrial context, to increase the efficacy of the interaction between humans and devices. The aim of the present chapter is to illustrate the possibilities of the use of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded in humans to improve several industrial applications. In fact, the main message of this chapter is that the actual EEG technologies could be not only used in medical environments but also widely exploited into aeronautics and marketing contexts. It will be highlighted the use of EEG signals for application including the on-line monitoring of the mental workload of pilots, air traffic controllers and professional drivers. Physiological variables that can be used in neuromarketing analysis to assess variation of cognitive and emotional states during the perception of advertisements will be also illustrated. Finally, preliminary results of the first EEG experience of recording the brain activity during a visit of a real art gallery will be shown. Overall, such findings testify how the electrical neuroimaging seems to be now ready to pave the way to the industrial neuroscience.