Neurofeedback for Impaired Person while Driving a Brain Controlled Wheelchair

Project Title

Neurofeedback for Impaired Person while Driving a Brain Controlled Wheelchair

Project Area of Specialization RoboticsProject Summary

Mobility of a disabled person, especially a paralyzed person is one of the major problems in medical science. As a solution, a wheelchair controlled by brain signals is an attractive product. This project focuses on building a working model of an automated wheelchair.

Objective of this project is the design and development of an automated wheelchair, its embedded system and the research of an optimized Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system. This project work presents an EEG (Electroencephalography) based BCI system to control a wheelchair. First task of getting the brain signals is accomplished through EEG technology. These signals are appropriately interpreted and classified. Different commands are linked to the specific brain signals and are used to control the wheelchair movement via motor drive circuitry. Automation of the wheelchair, fabrication of control and motor drive circuitry and selection and training of specific brain signals are the fundamental contributions.

Project Objectives Project Objectives:

We plan to develop Brain Computer Interface System by :

• Recording the brain signals of an impaired person with the help of electrodes.
• Using these amplified brain signals and classify them.
• Implementing hardware design of automated wheelchair and controlling its motion through brain signals.
• Using processor to implement Brain Compter Interface as well as motor control to run the feedback system in Realtime.
• Applying feedback control that is one of the key points of our project.

Project Implementation Method Methodology: Signal Acquisition and Classification:

First of all EPOC headset has to be prepared for acquisition of signals from the brain.Via Bluetooth device, this EPOC headset is connected to PC which collects all BCI input signal for further processing.

The BCI classifies the EEG signals coming from the headset and sends signals that signify the direction of movement of the wheelchair to the microcontroller.

BCI implementation:

The trajectory of the wheelchair will be controlled by the Signals coming from the BCI system.The microcontroller processes the signals and decides which motor to spin and at which speed should that motor spin. It then generates a corresponding pulse width modulated (PWM) signal that is passed onto the subsequent motor controller.

Motor control of wheelchair:

Motor attached to the wheelchair was controlled using an IBT2 board as motor controller. The motor controller uses the information from this PWM signal to rotate the motor at a particular speed that in turn moves the wheelchair in a certain direction at a particular speed.

Feedback Implementation:

The optical encoders attached to the motors generate a pair of pulses that are fed into the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes these pulses and is able to detect the speed of the motors. This helps us in precisely controlling the speed and direction of the motors by changing the input PWM to the motor controllers depending upon the feedback information provided by the motor controller.

Another method to introduce feedback is to use a vibratory sensor attached to the arm or wrist. So, whenever a command is completed, or an error is introduced it would signal the sensor and thus sensor will vibrate to give feedback to the user.

Benefits of the Project Benefits of Project:

1-In this era of technology, many people are shifting towards automation and the neural feedback control is the height of automation, where a person can control a machine merely by thinking about it.

2-As independence is the basic human right, we wish to provide a handicapped or a paralyzed person with a chance to lead an independent life.

3- The main purpose of this project is to develop a mechanism to provide a means of mobility for the patient.

4-This significantly reduces the need of a caregiver in assisting the daily needs of the patient.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable Technical Details:

1-Customer can control the motion of wheelchair by wearing the headset for which specific training session is provided to the user .

2-Apart from this, its motion can be controlled by voice commands of user.

3-In case of any emergency, a message or a call would be automatically given to the registered caregiver.

4-There would be GPS installed so the position of wheelchair can be monitored 24/7.

5-In case of any mallfunction, the user will be informed in the form of voice command or viboratory sensor or a beep/buzzer.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry HealthOther Industries Medical Core Technology RoboticsOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	80000
Motors	Equipment	2	30000	60000
Motor controller(ibt2)	Equipment	2	1200	2400
Microprocessor(raspberry-pie3)	Equipment	1	6000	6000
GPS tracker	Equipment	1	760	760
Ultrasonic sensor	Equipment	7	120	840
Stationery	Miscellaneous	1	2000	2000
3D printing	Miscellaneous	1	4000	4000
Transportation	Miscellaneous	1	4000	4000