ABSTRACT:
A Brain computer interface (BCI) is a system that allows direct communication between a computer and a human brain, bypassing the body‘s normal neuromuscular pathways. Instead of depending on peripheral nerves and muscles, a BCI directly measures brain activity associated with the user‘s intent and translates the recorded brain activity into corresponding control signals for certain applications. The signals recorded by the system are processed and classified to recognize the intent of the user. Well, moving things through mere thought process is no more a science fiction!
Though the main application for BCIs has been in rehabilitation of disabled patients so far, they are
increasingly being used in other application scenarios as well. One such application is
the control of wheelchair movement.
Independent mobility is core to being able to perform activities of daily living by oneself. Millions of people around the world suffer from mobility impairments and hundreds of thousands of them rely upon powered wheelchairs to get on with their activities of daily living. However, many patients are not prescribed powered
wheelchairs at all, either because they are physically unable to control the chair using a conventional interface, or because they are deemed incapable of driving safely. For some of these people, non–invasive brain–computer interfaces (BCI) offers a promising solution to this interaction problem.
In this project we have developed a cost effective BCI application that will help the physically challenged to lead an independent life with the help of their brain signals in a noninvasive techniques.
The project is at its infant stage, with just 3 wheelchair movements mapped successfully to the brain activities and considerable delay. Nevertheless it was a successful project, successful because
1. It can read and adapt to brain activities of different users.
2. It can map 3 wheelchair movements (front, stop and reverse) using just one sensor (at the P1 one position on the forehead according to the international 10-20 system).
3. It is a portable unit- all it needs is a laptop for signal processing and a microcontroller for motor control (the whole unit can be replaced by a single more powerful microcontroller).
1. It can read and adapt to brain activities of different users.
2. It can map 3 wheelchair movements (front, stop and reverse) using just one sensor (at the P1 one position on the forehead according to the international 10-20 system).
3. It is a portable unit- all it needs is a laptop for signal processing and a microcontroller for motor control (the whole unit can be replaced by a single more powerful microcontroller).
Check out the working of our project on Youtube:
FUTURE WORK:With the help of a better headset( electrode cap with more sensors) we can have 2D motion of the wheelchair. Also by using a more powerful microcontroller, replacing the entire signal processing unit and the motor control unit and reduce the delay considerably.
Studies suggest that if the same user (Patient) uses it for a long time, the delay can be reduced. The headset gets trained and learns from the brain activity of the person. Something similar to teaching an infant how to identify objects and people.
Another cool addition would be a high powered battery to support both the headset and the processing unit along with the motors of the wheelchair.
You can read more about our project here:
https://www.pantechsolutions.net/bci-control-for-wheelchair-movement-using-mindwave-mobile
No comments:
Post a Comment