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Dhvani: The sound of peace

Shashank Mathur Yasmin Navarrete Ankuj Arora
Institut Néel GIPSA Lab, RoboDoc Robotics Group,
University Grenoble-Alpes University Grenoble-Alpes LIG Lab, University Grenoble-Alpes
mathur.shashank07@gmail.com yasmin.navarrete@gmail.com ankuj.arora@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

Digital devices are increasingly ubiquitous, bringing the physical world closer to the digital world [1]. As this convergence takes
shape, gadgets that are multifunctional as never before present humans with virtually unlimited quantities of information. The
human brain, however, has a limited capacity of attention, and is continuously distracted from its principal task by these “digital
pings of information”. These distractions motivate us to present Dhvani, a ”thinking cap” built to enhance personal productivity
by monitoring & training the brain using a brain computer interface.

Index Terms—Brain Computer Interface (BCI), AI, Cognitive Robotics

I. I NTRODUCTION II. I NTRODUCING -D HVANI

Robots, since their conception in Asimov, are considered as
”cool gadgets” envisioned to facilitate mankind in performing
cumbersome tasks. Today, in real life they are serving in
both routines (e.g. pressing fruits for breakfast, traveling in
self-driven cars, mowing lawns etc.) and critical functions
(nanobots performing medical procedures, satellites facilitat-
ing telepresence). With this monumental growth in the capaci-
ties, the human dependence on these machines is exponentially
increasing. These machines also form the vital interface with
the virtual world of digital information and are programmed
to be context aware according to the user. As these virtual
libraries of information continue to grow, so does its access
with these devices. This combination puts human on the front
foot to stay updated. The AI supports in the filtering of
information rendering the humans glued to these machines.
But the natural human neurocognitive systems, including the
brain, has limited capacity for attention & thus isn’t designed
for such a world laced with information. The brain counts
most of it as distraction inducing a loss of attention that is the
principal driver behind anxiety, stress, reduced efficiency &
depression. Modern portable devices have shown promising
characteristics in detecting the cognitive state of the brain
during the period of attentiveness and also during distractions.
But their inability to influence an individual at an empathetic
& cognitive level is a major limitation and render the humans
wonder about the possibility of finding their metaphorical
”thinking cap” in real life.
To address such a requirement, the device needs to be
smarter in the detection of cognitive states & capable of
responding appropriately, like communicating with the brain.
For such an advancement in the field of brain-computer
interface, BCI, we introduce Dhvani, the sound of peace.
Dhvain is a real life augmentation of the ”thinking cap, with
a smart dimension aimed at training the brain. It is a personal
BCI device capable of the profiling individuals & wrap itself
around their contextual requirements. This device camouflages
into a cap and couples itself to the neuro-cognitive system
(brain) of the individual.
Concept & mode of operation
The brain is an organ that coordinates with the rest of
body using electrical impulses. Neuroscientists have revealed
that these electrical signals are unique for different cognitive
states. Each of these cognitive states can be identified by a
frequency of neural oscillation, commonly known as brain
waves. These waves can be classified into: (i) alpha (8Hz -
12 Hz) waves corresponding to states of relaxation, attention,
meditation and contemplation [2], (ii) beta waves (13Hz-30Hz)
related to active thinking, attention and solving problems
[3] (iii) gamma waves (greater than 40 Hz) correlated with
conscious perception [4] and (iv) delta waves (0.5Hz-4Hz)
associated to deep non-rapid eye movement (NREM) in sleep
[5]. External factors like light and sound etc., or factors
internal to the human body, like a change in neurochemical
activity (or diseases), induces the brain to change its frequency
of oscillation. Some of the changes in the brain frequencies are
attributed to distraction (mind-wandering, unfocused mind),
triggering the brain to change its state. This results in the
shortened time period of a preferred state of brain/mind.
Dhvani works on a concept similar to that of an Electroen-
cephalography (EEG) by recording the brain wave frequencies,
by using very few electrodes fitted inside the cap. These elec-
trodes capture the brain wave signals and continuously transfer
them to a proprietary smartphone application in real-time via
Bluetooth (or to an in-built processing unit). In the application,
the brain signals are deeply analyzed and categorized as per
the state of cognition. Upon detection of a sudden or gradual
shift in the brain wave frequency, it registers a distraction. This
distraction consolidates the extent of the change of state of
the brain. Dhvani then calculates an appropriate response and
establishes a communication sequence with the brain. During
this response Dhvani persuades the brain, in a non-invasive
manner, to nullify the shift in frequency resulting in mainte-
nance of the pre-established cognitive state of brain/mind for
longer durations. Thus training the brain to achieve a state of
mindfulness ( [6]–[8]).
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faces performance anxiety and goes into depression. Use

of Dhvani can help them overcome such periods of
distraction.

III. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Véronique Aubergé, Patrick Reigner and
Jérôme Maisonnasse for their instrumental and encour-
aging feedback. We also thank the fablab (FabMSTIC
Grenoble) headed by Jérôme Maisonnasse for their help
in prototyping the idea and bringing it to life. We are also
grateful to members of the RoboDoc robotics group of
Grenoble-Alpes University for their continuous support.

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Dhvani with its capacity to record brain signals, and in
response influence the brain to stay composed, is expected
to find its applications in a variety of fields.
1) Brain-training Dhvani is a potential solution to tackle
scatter-mindedness. Such a state arises due to multiple
thoughts being emerging in the brain, with less time
for each to develop. Studies have shown that opposite
cognitive states to such state of mind-wandering, i.e.
states of attention and focus are directly correlated to
the alpha brain waves. Usually, in our everyday life,
we try and develop attentional mental states to fulfill
our duties and problems. These states are not always
easy to attain and even harder to sustain, especially
when immersed in a stressful environment. Dhvani will
facilitate the achievement of a brain-train regime to
obtain and maintain the ”thinking time” required by the
individual to achieve their objective.
2) Sports Training Aid Sportspersons show ingenuity. This
is because of the extensive control their brain shows in
the alpha frequency range. A healthy brain activity in
this range provides them with extensive creativity and
motivation. But it is not unusual that the greatest player