Overview
ISO/IEC TR 27599:2025 - Information technology - Brain-computer interfaces - Use cases is a technical report that collects representative BCI (brain‑computer interface) use cases across domains such as medical and health, smart environments, industrial controls, learning, gaming and security. The report is intended to support the development of future standards, improve comprehension of BCI technology, and facilitate communication among industry stakeholders. It is applicable to all organization types (commercial, government, not‑for‑profit).
Key document features:
- Edition 1.0 (2025-05) with comprehensive use‑case descriptions (see Clause 7).
- Data analysis, common challenges, and standardization requirements (Clauses 5–6).
- Informative annexes with figures (Annex A) and a use‑case template (Annex B).
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO/IEC TR 27599:2025 covers technical and practical aspects of BCI systems, including:
- Application domains and a catalog of use cases (smart ward, assistive communication, seizure detection, BCI‑controlled exoskeletons, aerospace, gaming, biometrics, etc.).
- Data characteristics and processing methods, notably EEG characteristics and signal‑processing approaches.
- Common challenges such as signal acquisition noise and interference, inter‑subject and inter‑device variability, algorithm classification accuracy, amount of data, labelling, experimental preparation, mind‑focusing requirements, data security, and implant safety.
- Types and setups (invasive vs non‑invasive), required acquisition setups, benefits and portability considerations.
- Standardization requirements analysis: categorization, statistics and discussion of what needs harmonization to accelerate interoperable BCI products and systems.
The report highlights practical technical requirements to consider when developing BCI devices, algorithms and services (data handling, security, reproducibility, portability and safety).
Applications and practical value
ISO/IEC TR 27599 is valuable for:
- BCI device manufacturers and hardware vendors designing EEG, fNIRS or implantable systems.
- Software and AI/ML developers building signal‑processing, classification and closed‑loop control systems.
- Healthcare providers and rehabilitation professionals deploying BCI for diagnostics, neurorehabilitation, seizure monitoring and closed‑loop neurostimulation.
- Systems integrators and smart‑environment designers implementing passive BCIs or BCI‑enabled interfaces.
- Researchers, regulators and standards developers using the use‑case catalog and standardization requirements as input to create formal standards, regulatory guidance, or procurement specifications.
Related standards
This technical report is intended to inform future standardization in BCI and intersects with broader information technology, medical device and safety standards (see clauses on normative references and standardization requirements).
Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 27599:2025, brain‑computer interface, BCI use cases, EEG, signal processing, standardization, BCI applications, medical BCI, smart environment, industrial BCI.