Robotic Arm Controllable Using the Neural EEG Signals

The aim of this project is to restore basic communication for patients with severe neuromuscular disorders such as brainstem stroke, brain or spinal injury, cerebral palsy multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The proposed solution is comprised on Brain Machine Interface (BMI).

Project Title

Robotic Arm Controllable Using the Neural EEG Signals

Project Area of Specialization

NeuroTech

Project Summary

The aim of this project is to restore basic communication for patients with severe neuromuscular disorders such as brainstem stroke, brain or spinal injury, cerebral palsy multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The proposed solution is comprised on Brain Machine Interface (BMI).

A BMI sometimes also called a neural-control interface (NCI) is a non-muscular communication channel that enables a person to send commands and messages to an automated system such as robot or prosthesis by means of brain activity. A BMI system acquires data by using electroencephalography (EEG) technique and process that data in order to convert that in to the commands for the machine to respond accordingly.

Our project idea consists of a 3D printed robotic arm that simulates the arm of a human and EEG data acquisition system from Open BCI consisting of The OpenBCI Ganglion board which is a high-quality, affordable bio-sensing device and OpenBCI EEG Headband Kit.

Project Objectives

• Design of a basic 3-D printed robotic arm which simulates human arm.
• To acquire data from the brain of the subject.
• To develop BMI system that can convert brain signals to machine readable signals.
• To interface power supply of Robotic Arm with brain sensor output.
• To perform similar operations process using different commands.
• To compare results and increase accuracy of working of Robotic Arm.

Project Implementation Method

The project is divided in three main phases, first: design of 3D printed robotic arm for simulating human arm, second: to Develop a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) system using open source OpeNBCI Ganglion board which can convert data from human brain to machine readable data and finally third is to create an interface between BMI and robotic arm and to improve the accuracy of the system.

Benefits of the Project

1. Brain Machine Interface (BMI) is the emerging technology and in near future will be used for the control of computers and machines, hence this project will provide a useful insight.
2. BMI based Robotic arms used as a Prosthetic Limb offers a solution for paralyzed of physically disabled people.
3. As far as treatment of paralyzed part of body, medical science has  described two strategies for restoring movement in paralyzed patients with BCIs (brain computer interfaces): to train the patient to produce more “normal” motor brain signals, and to train the patient to control a device that implements movement. So this device can be helpful in second procedure.
4. Not only in hospital or in patient care services this arm can also be used in industries and other areas. If this project is enhanced and approaches wireless level of communication then things can be controlled in absence of labor or person who’s controlling them.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

 The project comprises of robotic claw. To make this claw, we have used servo motors, Arduino Uno, a 3D printed structure, potentiometers and connections, project also consist of OpenBCI data acquisition chip- Ganglion Board which a bio-sensing device with 4 high-impedance differential inputs. The inputs can be used as individual differential inputs for measuring EMG or ECG, or they can be individually connected to a reference electrode for measuring EEG. Data is sampled at 200Hz and OpenBCI EEG Headband Kit. The headband allows three frontal cortex measurements (F7, AF7, Fp1, Fpz, Fp2, AF8, F8) via the three included lead wires with flat EEG snap electrodes.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Type of Industry

Medical , Health

Technologies

3D/4D Printing, Robotics, NeuroTech, Wearables and Implantables

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com