A Wheelchair, Run by Your Mind 🧠…
Wheelchairs are commonly used by people with disabilities all around us. But imagine that even to do the smallest tasks in their wheelchair they would have to put in so much effort just to move around.
As of now wheelchairs are either run manually or by electric motors.
Manual wheelchairs are more common and less technologically advanced. They allow one to be pushed by someone else, or you used your hand to rotate the wheels.
But what if you get tired by pushing the wheels, and are restricted to going for a certain distance? And if you want to go further, you need to be dependent on someone else to push you.
There are always electric wheelchairs, which are run by buttons, similar to a remote. They don’t require you to be pushed and the vehicle with still run.
But they are so high maintenance. Along with that, they cost a fortune, and only some can afford them. They are heavy and bulky and not exactly the best for transportation.
Now, what if I tell you, there could be a wheelchair that has the features of a manual wheelchair but doesn’t require any effort like an electric wheelchair, just your brain to think?
Brain-Computer Interface
So a brain-computer interface (BCI) could be the solution to this.
So, what exactly is a brain-computer interface? It’s allowing humans to control applications and devices only with their minds!
In this situation with BCIs, humans can control wheelchairs with only their minds!
Now imagine how people with disabilities that require a wheelchair could not be dependent on someone and still be able to move around and interact with the environment with only the use of their brain…
But, how does this happen?
Measuring Brain Signals
So the way BCIs work is from the signals from your brain. Your brain produces millions of signals each day and always working
- Our brains are filled with cells called electrons.
When you sleep, eat, think basically do anything, your brain is at work and creates electric signals. These signals are detected and understood by using electroencephalography (EEG) technology.
- An EEG is initially a test that measures electric brain activity in the brain.
With EEG your brain activity could directly go to a device and perform the desired task, making your life more convenient.
EEG Sensors
An EEG scan evaluates the electric signals in your brain.
These scans are performed by placing EEG sensors on your scalp. These sensors typically are small metal discs — also known as EEG electrodes.
Your electric brain signals are then picked up and recorded by these EEG sensors placed on your scalp.
These collected EEG signals are amplified, digitized, and then sent to a computer or mobile device for storage and data processing.
Now your brain won’t be explaining the signals to all your other body parts and do it! Improving efficiency!
Analyzing EEG data is an exceptional way to make human life more productive and improve our well-being.
How does an EEG work?
The billions of cells in your brain produce brain signals that form non-linear patterns called brainwaves. EEG sensors measure the electrical activity in the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, during an EEG test.
- The sensors are placed on one’s head and non-invasively (not requiring to fit something inside your body), the electrodes detect brain waves.
EEG sensors are so powerful! They can literally record and have snapshots of brain activity in just a single second.
As mentioned, the data is then transferred to amplifiers, then uploaded to process the data. The amplified data, the wavy lines, can be uploaded on a computer, mobile device, or a cloud database.
Now, we can understand how much power EEGs hold. With this, human life can change completely, making it more productive.
EEG Data Processing
There are many different ways of processing the data. Here are some of them with examples of their data processed:
Cloud-computing software
Cloud-computing software is considered an essential aspect of EEG data processing, as it allows for real-time analysis of recordings at scale.
Graph Paper
Did you know in the olden days, waves were simply recorded on graph paper? They used the resources with them and were still able to use this technology at the time.
Time-series Graph
For the use of academic and commercial research, typically the data is shown as a time series.
These are just some examples but there are many more. But the main thing to note down is:
- EEG data can be expressed in so many different ways so imagine how many ways human life can be easier.
Now, you may be wondering for the time-series graph, what are the 4 categories?
Types of Brainwaves EEG Measures
The four main types of brainwaves EEGs measure are:
- Beta Waves
- Alpha Waves
- Theta Waves
- Delta Waves
Now let’s break these brain waves down.
Beta Waves
Beta waves are most closely associated with being conscious or in an awake, attentive, and alert state. Their frequency range is from 14 Hz to about 30 Hz.
Alpha Waves
Alpha waves are often associated with a relaxed, calm, and lucid state of mind. Their frequency range from 7 Hz to 13 Hz.
Theta Waves
Theta waves are often associated with the deep breathing of young adults, with sometimes anxiety and panic. Their frequency range is from 4 Hz to about 7 Hz.
Delta Waves
Delta activity is predominantly found in infants. They have also been noted sometimes between seizures. Their frequency range is up to 4 Hz.
These different brain waves from EGGs can help BCIs understand the brain signals and perform its task with accuracy.
BCIs and Wheelchairs
Now we have a better understanding of EEGs and their important features, they are actually a key part of BCI and our wheelchair.
So let's bring back the wheelchair from before. Now we could use all this knowledge on BCIs and EEGs to run this BCI-powered wheelchair.
So let's picture how this will work:
A disabled person would wear an EEG and place the sensors on their scalp. Then would sit on the wheelchairs and let their brain do the work.
A BCI Wheelchair
When you want it to move forward, beta waves may be recorded. This is when your awake and attentive so when you want to possibly switch directions or move at a different speed.
Beta waves could also be recorded when you want the wheelchair to stop.
However, if you are moving straight, for now, EEG sensors may detect alpha waves. These occur when you are relaxed and calm. So as you are going straight, you may be relaxed and enjoy the view surrounding you.
After, these signals will be recorded on cloud-computing software. The software will have code that understands the EEG signals and the output would be the wheelchair performing the message from the code.
Now, our wheelchair is developed and we managed to create our wheelchair powered by only a brain.
To conclude, we can see the endless possibilities of brain-computer interfaces. Not just people with disabilities would benefit, but everyone can benefit. Imagine apart from this wheelchair, how many other cool things we can do like creating a brain-powered car…
Thank you for your interest in this article. My name is Vidhi Jaju and I’m a 14-year-old high school student exploring the endless possibilities and learning more about BCIs every day. Feel free to shoot me a message and/or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidhi-jaju-551716257/
