Octopus 16, Brain-Computer interface with 16 EEG channel

Octopus 16: 16 Channels of EEG in a Coin-Sized Wireless Sensor

Sixteen dry EEG electrodes, a common reference and a ground, all on one 26 mm board, with Bluetooth LE 5 streaming. Octopus 16 is a coin-sized cluster of spring-loaded pogo pins. Because the reference and ground sit in the same footprint as the 16 active channels, you need no ear clips, no cap and no distant electrodes: press it onto the scalp and stream 16-channel EEG to your browser in minutes.

XIAO ESP32-S3 included. The power bank and strap are not included. See "What you also need" below.

Why Octopus 16?

• Fully local montage. Reference and ground live inside the same 26 mm cluster as the 16 signal pins. No cap, no ear clips, no wires on the head.
• Dry, gel-free electrodes. 18 spring-loaded pogo pins reach through the hair to the scalp. Put it on and record in seconds.
• High-resolution data. Two Texas Instruments ADS131M08 24-bit converters, sampling all 16 channels simultaneously, with per-channel gain up to x128.
• Wireless and tiny. Bluetooth LE 5 via the included Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3. Powered by a small power bank, worn with a strap.
• No install needed. Flash the firmware and view live signals in Chrome or Edge at cloud.pieeg.com.
• Open source. Firmware, Python SDK, datasets and 3D enclosure files on GitHub.

What you can do with it

• See your alpha rhythm rise when you close your eyes
• Build neurofeedback, focus and meditation apps
• Use blinks and brain signals to control games, including as a Bluetooth or USB gamepad
• Explore high-density local EEG: 16 channels over one small area of the scalp
• Teach neuroscience in the classroom with octoBridge and the OctoBio Kit

Features

• 16 EEG channels, plus common reference and ground, in one 26 mm cluster
• 18 spring-loaded dry pogo-pin electrodes
• 2 x TI ADS131M08, 24-bit, simultaneous-sampling delta-sigma ADCs
• Programmable gain per channel, x1 to x128
• Integrated DC-block filter
• Bluetooth LE 5 streaming via the XIAO ESP32-S3
• Reference and ground selectable with on-board jumpers, for single-board use or stacking
• Browser firmware flashing, no tools needed
• 3D CAD enclosure files included

Specifications

Package includes

• 1 x Octopus 16 board
• 1 x Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 with Bluetooth antenna

What you also need

• Small 5 V power bank (2 A or less) with a USB-C cable
• Head strap to hold the sensor in place
• USB-C data cable to flash the firmware once
• A computer with Bluetooth and Chrome or Edge

Get started in 4 steps

1. Mount the XIAO ESP32-S3 on Octopus 16 so the 5V / GND / 3V3 labels line up, and clip on the antenna.
2. Flash the firmware once in your browser at octobridge.pieeg.com/flash.
3. Power it from a power bank and connect at cloud.pieeg.com → PiEEG Devices → Octopus 16.
4. Place it over Pz (top-back of the head), press it straight down, hold it with a strap, close your eyes and watch alpha rise.

Step-by-step guide: docs.pieeg.com/hardware/devices/Octopus_16

Real signals: alpha test

Eyes closed, sensor over Pz, dry pogo pins, no gel.

Documentation & Links

• Octopus 16 Documentation: setup, firmware, placement, software, specifications, troubleshooting
• Octopus 16 on GitHub: firmware, Python SDK, datasets
• Video: Octopus 16 hardware review
• 3D models on Thingiverse
• pieeg.com · Discord community (1,000+ members) · pieeg@pieeg.com

Important safety notice

Octopus 16 is not a medical device and is intended for research, education and experimentation only. While it is worn, power it from a power bank only. Never wear it while it is plugged into a computer or a wall charger; connect it to a computer only to flash the firmware, with the board off the head. Press the pins straight down and never tilt them sideways under pressure. Please read the liability notice and the safety guide before use.