The first IT management system approach in Latvia for a unique device that reads the brain’s low-frequency radio waves and is able to control the device with it, making it move in different directions, thus connecting technology with the human mind, has been developed directly at the Faculty of Information Technology (IT) of the Turība University.

This user program, which has also been patented, was developed by scientists from the IT Faculty of the university, assoc. professor Jānis Pekša and professor Dmytro Mamchur, while the program was tested by IT student Mykhailo Antropov from Ukraine.

The scientists’ goal was to develop an application that would make the world of technology more accessible to all the world’s inhabitants. The developed application is available to everyone and can also be used in everyday life, replacing the traditional keyboard and mouse. The technique is designed to provide computerized text input that helps a person perform tasks using the brain-computer interface. Thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms and the developed application, this device is able to provide input to the computer, allowing the brain to act as a keyboard and mouse.

“This technology provides an opportunity for more people to become IT specialists, especially those who do not have the opportunity to fully use a computer, for example, people without hand functionality. With our patented system and program, they are given the opportunity to work in the field of programming. This would help fill the labor market that needs IT specialists, providing opportunities for those who want to become programmers,” explains Jānis Pekša, Dean of the Faculty of IT at Turība.

Turība University was the lead partner in the INTUX project, the main idea of ​​which was to improve the user interface and experience for people with disabilities. Because of this project, a device that includes 16 sensors and several control modules was purchased. When these sensors are placed on a person’s head, low-frequency radio waves are read from the brain. Similar to how a radio receiver receives and plays radio waves, this device allows you to obtain data from low-frequency waves of the brain.

At Turība University, students can currently acquire knowledge in two IT faculty study programs: the short-cycle or college study program “Programmer” or the bachelor’s study program “Computer Systems”. Studies are conducted only in English, as it opens up career opportunities for future IT specialists in the Latvian and international labor markets. In response to demand, in addition to face-to-face IT studies, Turība currently offers distance learning or e-study in both study programs, which are highly sought after and appreciated.

A flexible learning process is one of the main advantages, as well as the modular training principle, the proportion of lectures and practice in the ratio of approximately 1:3 and remote access to study materials, which also allows for distance learning.

Turība University organizes various guest lectures and provides practical knowledge, and students also have the opportunity to go on exchange studies to other engineering universities in Europe. Study courses are completed in an ICT laboratory, which provides all the necessary for the training process.