Rikky Muller awarded 2020-2021 Bakar Fellowship!

Rikky Muller was one of seven faculty members to receive a 2020-2021 Bakar Fellowship for the development of “EarEEG - Hearables That Read Your Mind”. Smart earbuds and hearing aids known as hearables have transformed the headphone and audiology landscape. In addition to enhancing enjoyment of music and conversation, technologically advanced electronic in-ear devices controlled by touch, movement or voice are being applied to medical monitoring, fitness tracking and more. Rikky Muller’s research group has developed EarEEG, which uses lightweight in-ear earbuds to detect the brain’s electrical activity. Electroencephalography (EEG) is recorded non-invasively from the ear canal and transmitted wirelessly to the user’s smartphone. Her goal is to enable the seamless connection of mind to device in a variety of user interface, consumer and healthcare applications.

The Bakar Fellows Program at UC Berkeley fosters faculty entrepreneurship in the STEM+ fields including Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Architecture. On a competitive basis, Bakar Fellows are awarded discretionary research support to mature & translate their ground-breaking discoveries and innovations into commercial solutions. Started in 2012, the Bakar Fellows Program enriches Berkeley by supporting entrepreneurial faculty & their research groups.