A team of researchers from the University of Malta has developed Boggle, an open-source web browser that allows users to navigate the internet using only brain signals.
The browser is part of the BrainWeb project, a multidisciplinary initiative combining expertise in human-computer interaction, biomedical engineering and signal processing. Boggle is designed to help people with physical disability which affects movement, who cannot use traditional tools such as a mouse, keyboard or touchscreen.
Boggle relies on a brain-computer interface (BCI) technique known as steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEP). When users focus on flickering elements on the screen, their brain produces electrical signals at matching frequencies. An electroencephalogram (EEG) headset detects these signals from the visual cortex, allowing the browser to interpret the user’s intended action and execute commands such as opening links, navigating pages or managing tabs.
The system is compatible with low-cost consumer EEG headsets, making it more accessible for use outside laboratory settings. According to the developers, the browser supports typical web functions including browsing websites, interacting with input elements, bookmarking pages and managing multiple tabs.
Boggle was recently presented at CHItaly 2025 in Salerno, where it received the Best Interactive Experience Award. The browser has been released as open-source software through the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory’s GitHub repository.
The BrainWeb project is funded by the University of Malta Research Excellence Fund and led by Professor Chris Porter. The research team includes Daniel Calleja, Marie Buhagiar, Tracey Camilleri and Kenneth Camilleri.
Researchers believe technologies like Boggle could massively expand digital access for individuals with disability, offering a new way to interact with computers and the internet through brain signals alone.
For more information, please read the Times of Malta’s article on the new brain-controlled web browser.