Toward Mental Workload Measurement Using Multimodal EEG–fNIRS Monitoring

A key goal of neuroergonomics is to develop tools to measure mental workload during task execution, potentially enabling safer and more efficient human–machine interaction in diverse working environments. A promising approach to developing these high-performance and robust cognitive monitoring systems is to combine neurophysiological modalities, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), that can offer complementary information on brain activity. Here, innovative temporal dynamics-related EEG and fNIRS features are described that will enable development of highly effective multimodal mental-workload measures.