EPFL Researchers Unveil An All New Brain Controlled Wheelchair To Ease Mobility For The Disabled

EPFL Researchers Unveil An All New Brain Controlled Wheelchair To Ease Mobility For The Disabled The physically challenged could in the near future might just be able to move around in their wheelchairs, by using just the power of their brains, instead of kinetic energy exerted by their hands. The José de R. Millán's laboratory in the EPFL Neuroprosthetic Center is currently working in a prototype technology, called 'Shared Control', which is essentially an artificial intelligence system, that creates a seamless interaction between the brains and the wheelchair. As per the ongoing experiment, Michele Tavella of EPFL in Switzerland is currently occupying a wheelchair and controlling the motion of the vehicle simply with his brain waves, making it avoid obstacles in its way. The concept behind this cutting edge technology is that, Mr. Travella's thoughts produce brain patterns, that in turn are recorded by a electroencephalography (EEG) device, which is operated by a helmet with electrodes in it. As he thinks about the movements of the wheel chair, the brain patterns are interpreted by a computer and then sent directly to the wheel chair. Shared Control feature operates with the help of two small cameras, situated on each side of the chair, along with image-processing software. However, as of now the technology is in its infant stage and to ensure that the wheelchair is able to recognize the difference between a cabinet and a chair and then select the appropriate evasive response for each of furniture. To accomplish this, the researchers need to have a highly advanced and evolved artificial intelligence. According to Tom Carlson (Imperial College London), "We are looking to improve the security and precision of the system. We are trying to analyze different brain patterns, such as error-related potentials that may help to disambiguate the intentions of the user. Does the user want to avoid the desk or is it his, and should the chair pull up to it so he can work?"