Brain-wave data (privately) on chain!

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dr Bharat Harbham

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Erin Magennis

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

A neurotech platform that captures, analyses and privately stores brainwave data

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

N/A

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All Cardano code/integrations will be made public

[METADATA] Horizons

IoT

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The problem we are addressing is the lack of personal ownership and control over personal data. While this may not seem critical when it comes to fitness devices like Fitbit, brainwave data is an entirely different matter. Brainwave data is highly sensitive biometric information, almost as personal as your DNA.

This data has the potential to reveal intimate insights about an individual—such as their emotional responses, cognitive patterns, likes, dislikes, and even how to manipulate or market to them.

Without user control, we risk a dystopian future where companies exploit neurodata, selling access to third parties, advertisers, or worse, without the user’s consent. We stand firmly against such a future, advocating instead for a decentralized solution where individuals maintain full sovereignty over their brainwave data.

The number of consumer devices capable of recording brainwave data has increased rapidly over the last 18 months so this is an important issue that needs a solution now.

Our Solution:

Our solution is a decentralized neurotech platform that allows users to capture, store, and analyze their brainwave data while retaining full ownership. Users will have the option, first and foremost, to store their data locally and if they wish, sort it in a decentralised manner allowing for easier sharing with whoever they consent with. The raw data will not be stored on the chain (but will utilise storage mechanisms that allow the user to delete data when they want.

Key features include:

• User-Controlled Data: Individuals decide who can access their brainwave data and for what purpose, utilizing Cardano’s smart contracts to ensure privacy and consent management.
• Data Monetization: If users choose, they can securely share their data with research institutions or companies and receive compensation, without relinquishing ownership.
• Privacy-First Design: The platform is designed to safeguard against unauthorized data access, where users by default have data stored locally and opt-in to store in a shareable way. The actual platform will be blockchain agnoist but feature an option to utilise Cardano who we feel is the best fit for this type of application

Who Will This Engage:

• Users of brainwave recording devices who are looking for better control over their personal neurodata. There are 100 plus devices hitting the market in the next year
• Researchers and scientists who require access to consented, verified brainwave data for academic studies or decentralized scientific research (DeSci).
• Developers and neurotech companies who want to integrate secure data handling and user-controlled data privacy into their applications.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Value to the Cardano Community:

The success of our neurotech platform will bring significant value to the Cardano community by expanding its use into the neurotech and healthcare sectors. Our platform will demonstrate how Cardano’s blockchain can securely manage sensitive brainwave data, showcasing the versatility of Cardano beyond financial applications.

By creating a secure, decentralized ecosystem for brainwave data, we will:

• Attract new users from the health, neurotech, and decentralized science (DeSci) spaces, boosting adoption of Cardano in industries that rely on data privacy and integrity.
• Highlight Cardano’s strength in protecting user data through its secure, scalable blockchain infrastructure, making Cardano the go-to platform for health-related blockchain applications.
• Foster the development of new use cases, partnerships, and applications in neurotech, building out Cardano's ecosystem and increasing its credibility and visibility in innovative fields.

How We Will Measure Impact:

We will measure the impact of our project through both quantitative and qualitative metrics, ensuring we capture tangible outcomes and community engagement:

• Number of Users: We will track the number of users who adopt our platform to store and manage their brainwave data, aiming for a steady increase in user base over time.
• Volume of Data Stored: We’ll measure how much brainwave data is being securely stored and processed on the Cardano blockchain, demonstrating its scalability and security in handling personal data.
• Research Collaborations: The number of scientific research projects or institutions accessing and utilizing user-consented neurodata will serve as a key indicator of success.
• User Feedback: Qualitative feedback from users, scientists, and developers will provide insight into the platform’s usability, security, and perceived value.
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Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

To ensure transparency and community engagement, we will actively share our outputs and opportunities:

• Regular Progress Updates: We will provide updates on our platform’s progress, user adoption, and research partnerships through Cardano’s community channels (forums, blogs, social media), ensuring the wider Cardano community is informed and involved.
• Webinars and Demonstrations: We will host webinars and virtual demo days to showcase the platform’s functionality and real-world impact, engaging both the neurotech and blockchain communities.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: We will actively seek to collaborate with research institutions, neurotech companies, and DeSci projects, sharing these partnerships and success stories through community announcements, conferences, and events.

By sharing these outputs and opportunities, we aim to foster continued growth, innovation, and collaboration within the Cardano ecosystem, positioning it as a leader in decentralized health and neurodata management.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

The team have experience in science, web3 and building DeSci tooling. We also both have neuroscience experience needed for this project.

For Context:

• Bharat and Erin are co-founders of MuseMatrix. They each have 3+ years of experience in DeSci.
• MuseMatrix is a decentralized research institute that applies Web3 tools to science and has an emphasis on cross-chain and chain-agnostic tooling
• Bharat is a medical doctor with experience in neuroscienes, academia, product development and web3.
• Bharat is the founder of DeSci London, the largest IRL DeSci community. They organise workshops, meetups, hackathons, and conferences. Cardano had a presence at their recent conference.
• Erin is a neuroscientist with experience in marketing, tech startups and web3
• Erin helped launch 18 science-tech ecosystems, led the DeSci Research Landscape Analysis, and is core team at the largest blockchain ecosystem in the Midwest (conference, monthly workshops, & hackathons)

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Platform Setup and Initial Development (Month 1-2)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Develop the core architecture for the neurotech platform which operates on a local first approach
• Ability to integrate with the most common brain wave device on the market (Muse headband)
• Ability to visualise brain wave live from one device
• Integrate a data authentication method we have previously developed ensuring data captured is genuine and not fake

.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of the core platform’s backend development and frontend allowing data capture and local storage
• Integrated with Muse headband SDK
• Front event allows for real-time visual viewing of brainwave data
• Data authentication method works to ensure integrity of any data

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Code repository with the platform architecture.
• Working demo showing data stores locally
• Working demo shows live visual representation of brain wave data
• Working demo also shows the data authentication method

Milestone 2: User Interface and Beta Testing (Month 3-4)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Develop the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for individuals to easily upload their brainwave data (ie users who initially decided to store locally now have the option of storing that data in a private way (ie encrypted with ability to delete)
• Automated (opt in) for users to store their data privately (ie encrypted with ability to delete)
• Conduct beta testing with a group of 20 early adopters to identify UI/UX issues and gather feedback.
• Intergrate with additional devices (eg Neurosity Crown)

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of a user-friendly interface that allows individuals to upload and store their previously collected neurodata in a compliant way utilising decentralised storage mechanisms such as Iagon
• Completion of a user-friendly interface that allows individuals to automatically store heir previously collected neurodata in a compliant way utilising decentralised storage mechanisms such as Iagon
• Beta testing feedback collected from 20 participants, including bug reports and usability feedback.
• Working integration with additional devices

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• UI/UX design for final interface showing flow of uploading previously collected data
• UI/UX design for final interface automated uploading new collected data
• Beta testing reports summarizing user feedback and key fixes made to the platform.
• Demonstration of additional devices working on it

Milestone 3: Full Launch and Research Partnerships (Month 5-6)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Launch the full version of the neurotech platform to the public, allowing users to upload and manage their brainwave data.
• Develop a mechanism allowing users to share their neurodata securely, ie with research institutions
• Ability for device manufacturers to integrate with the platform scaling the number of devices that work with the platform

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Public launch of the platform with real users actively storing and managing their brainwave data.
• Functional data sharing mechanisms allowing users to securely share their brainwave data.
• SDK allowing any device manufacturer to build an intergration

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Live platform with users actively engaging and storing data.
• Copies of signed agreements with research partners.
• Demonstration of the data sharing feature, with records of early transactions.
• Working SDK

Milestone Outputs

• Final close-out report
• Final closeout video
• MVP (Minimum Viable Product) presentation which shows functions as specified in previous milestones, it will be presented to target users and stakeholder at a yet undefined event, likely remotely, advertised to the public
• Demo Day event presentation materials (slides, video) for the above presentation are made public
• Final evaluation report summarizing the project’s impact and next steps for scaling.

Acceptance criteria

Final Close-Out Report:

• Report contains all required sections as per the milestone guide.
• Quantifiable metric: Minimum 2/3 pages long, covering KPIs, achievements, learnings, and next steps.
• Available in PDF format, written in English, and uploaded to GitHub.

Final Closeout Video:

• High-quality (1080p), clear, concise, and 2-5 minutes long.
• Video posted publicly on YouTube.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Presentation:

• Functional MVP demonstrating all key features.
• Quantifiable metric: MVP is fully functional as per documentation and demonstrated in a video.
• Demo materials (slides, videos) ready for presentation.

Demo Day Event Presentation Materials:

• Comprehensive and professional presentation materials prepared. These materials must be made publicly available after the event, with links provided to the repository where they are stored (e.g., GitHub).

Final Evaluation Report Summarizing the Project’s Impact and Next Steps for Scaling:

• Detailed report covering project impact, feedback, and next steps.
• Quantifiable metric: Feedback collected from at least 20 stakeholders.
• Available in PDF format, written in English, and uploaded to GitHub

Final Close Out Report:

• Link to GitHub Repository: Publicly accessible repository with the final close-out report in PDF format.
• Document Details: Report covering all required sections, including KPIs, achievements, learnings, and next steps.

Final Closeout Video:

• YouTube Link: Public link to the high-quality video (1080p), 2-5 minutes long.
• Video Content: Explanation of project achievements and deliverables, demonstrating developed outputs.

MVP Demonstration Video

• Video Link: Public video demonstrating the MVP and its key features, this will be an online event

Demo Day Event Presentation Materials

• Demo Materials: Slides and supporting documents prepared for Demo Day, uploaded to GitHub.

Final Evaluation Report:

• Link to GitHub Repository: Publicly accessible repository with the final evaluation report in PDF format.
• Report Details: Detailed report summarizing project impact, feedback from stakeholders, and next steps for scaling.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Bharat: LinkedIn, Twitter

Erin: LinkedIn, Twitter

• Project Lead (Bharat): Oversees the project, coordinates between team members and stakeholders, ensures project milestones are met.
• Erin: UX Lead/UX Designer: Leads user feedback and research efforts, designs effective tests, and oversees report and output communications.  
• We would need to find a Cardano technical lead (we are currently interviewing).

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

• Personnel (salaries for developers, researchers, and support staff): $30,000
• User Interface (UI) / User Experience (UX) Design: $5,000
• Neurotech Devices and Equipment: $5,000
• Legal Services (Data privacy compliance, contracts): $4,000
• Travel and Accommodations: $2,000
• Marketing and Dissemination (including Demo Day expenses): $3,000
• Miscellaneous and Contingency: $3,000
• Total: $50,000

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Causality Network project offers significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem:

• Innovation: Introduces a novel use of blockchain for brain wave data storage and sharing, positioning Cardano at the forefront of blockchain applications in science.

• Skill Development: Enhances the capabilities of scientists and developers in using Cardano’s blockchain, increasing the skilled workforce within the ecosystem.

• New Tools and Protocols: Develops new tools and protocols that can be adopted by other projects within the Cardano ecosystem and cross-chain, multiplying the impact of the initial investment.

• Increased Credibility and Adoption: Demonstrates the utility of Cardano in critical real-world applications, potentially attracting new users and developers to the platform.

• Long-Term Impact: The successful implementation of this project could lead to significant long-term benefits, such as many institutes using the Cardano platform for scientific research

Our project offers great value for money by opening up new opportunities in the neurotech and decentralized science (DeSci) sectors, directly enhancing Cardano’s ecosystem. The budget is carefully allocated to maximize impact while staying cost-efficient. Our costs are proportional to industry standards and focus on key deliverables. The long-term value for Cardano includes attracting new users, expanding use cases in neurodata privacy, and showcasing Cardano’s potential in health tech.