Mind Controlled Wheelchair

Abstract

The paper deals with engineering an electric wheelchair from a common wheelchair and the development of a BCI system (Brain-Computer Interface) between the electric wheelchair and the human brain. The target populations for the mind controlled wheelchair are the patients who are paralyzed below the neck and are unable to use conventional wheelchair interfaces. A portable EEG headset, MCU and fi rmware signal processing together facilitate the movement of the wheelchair by processing the user’s brain activity and eye blinks’ frequency. This paper reports the creation of a cost effi cient solution, later intended to be distributed as an add-on conversion kit for a common manual wheelchair. A Neurosky Mind wave headset is used to pick up EEG signals from the brain. This is a commercialized version of the Open-EEG Project. The signal obtained from EEG sensor is processed by the ARM microcontroller FRDM KL-25Z, a Freescale board. The microcontroller takes decision for determining the direction of motion of wheelchair based on floor detection and obstacle avoidance sensors mounted on wheelchair’s footplate. The MCU shows real time information on a color LCD interfaced to it. Joystick control of the wheelchair is also provided as an additional interface option that can be chosen from the menu system of the project.