SANS TRACAS: Design and Evaluation of a Cross-Platform Tool for Conducting Online EEG Experiments

For nearly a century, electroencephalography (EEG) research has been a crucial tool in the study of brain activity, and this valuable research technique is becoming increasingly accessible due to recent advancements in technology. In this article, we report on a collaborative effort between cognitive neuroscientists and human–computer interaction (HCI) researchers to design, develop, and evaluate Sans Tracas – a cross-platform web application for running EEG experiments online. Using a multidisciplinary and user-centric iterative design approach, Sans Tracas was designed to be easy to use by researchers and study participants alike. To evaluate the feasibility of Sans Tracas for conducting online EEG experiments for people with varying EEG and Brain Computer Interface (BCI) knowledge, we conducted a study with 55 participants, followed by a semi-structured interview with 11 participants to uncover more qualitative insights into the usability and people’s perception of the platform. Results showed that the average number of trials to connect the Muse with Sans Tracas was 2.55 (SD = 3.42). The average time to complete the entire study was 17 minutes (SD = 4 minutes). Participants also found Sans Tracas fun to participate in EEG experiments independently and reported more interest in EEG and BCI research than before the study. We conclude that Sans Tracas is a usable platform for conducting online EEG studies and offers an alternative to traditional in-lab settings.