Development of a brain-computer interface (BCI) for person with disabilities to control their wheelchair using brain waves

Abstract

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a system that identifies the functional intent, to interact with the surrounding environment, from the neuro-electric activity in the brain. This paper uses the BrainSense device, an EEG acquisitor, to acquire brain activity data from eye blink patterns. These are then processed and classified into different labels used as movement instructions for motors. The intention of this study is to develop a BCI system that allows quadriplegic individuals to operate a wheelchair without the need for physical/manual labor. Performance metrics include the accuracy between intended and translated execution. From the conducted study the developed wheelchair's performance significantly improved to 97.22% with 30 minutes of training prior to usage. The proposed system can have a long lasting impact on the healthcare industry in Bangladesh by aiding and enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.