Final answer:
Brain-machine interfaces typically use Electroencephalography (EEG) to control artificial effectors by recording and translating brain's electrical activity into commands that can operate devices like computer cursors or robotic arms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) or brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can use Electroencephalography (EEG) to control artificial effectors, such as a computer cursor or a robotic arm. EEG records the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. These recordings reflect the summed electrical activity of neurons and can be decoded by a computer to create a direct interface between the brain and a machine. Unlike EEG, other imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) provide different types of data and are not typically used directly for controlling BCIs. MRI and fMRI track changes in blood flow and are used for detailed images of brain structure and activity, while PET scans show metabolic processes and fNIRS measures hemodynamic responses to brain activity involving light absorption.