Courtesy by engadget
The world of automation has always amused me. I have always wondered what it would be like if we can automate our day-to-day activities to an extent where just the thought of doing something could actually translate into execution of that activity. For instance, I think of turning on a television set or switch to a different TV channel, and without any physical movement the task is done. Such direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device is termed as Brain Machine Interface (BMI).
In recent times much attention has been paid to BMI, and several research studies are being carried out in this area—primarily aimed at enabling people with damaged sensory and motor functions to regain control through brain waves. Some ongoing research in BMI technologies include deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, cochlear implants for patients with severe hearing loss, retinal implants for blind patients, and brain stem implants.
One of the latest breakthroughs in BMI is a brain-controlled wheelchair developed by the Brain Science Institute-Toyota Collaboration Center. The user wears a special cap (also know as electroencephalogram helmet) that transmits brain signals (or thoughts) to a computer mounted on the chair. This computer, in turn, controls the movement of the chair. The system is claimed to have a response time almost as fast as making movements in real time. Stopping the movement of the wheelchair still requires physical response from the user. When the user puffs out his/her cheek, the movement is captured by a detector and sent to the computer to stop the wheelchair. Check out the following video to see how this brain-controlled wheelchair operates.
Toyota has come a long way in re-engineering the wheelchair from its iReal, a personal mobility device, to a brain-controlled one. Several similar research studies on brain-controlled wheelchairs were previously conducted; however speed and accuracy had remained an issue. Toyota’s wheelchair, with a claimed response time of 125 milliseconds and accuracy of 95 percent, seems to put the firm ahead of other researchers in this field. Toyota reportedly is planning to refine this system, and is also considering making use of this technology in medicine and nursing care management.
A real-life application of such brain-controlled devices can be revolutionary, if put to appropriate use. For instance, customized versions of brain-controlled chairs could be used in providing support to handicapped and elderly people to carry out their routine daily tasks. Also, an integration of these chairs with automobiles could open a whole new market for vehicles specifically designed for handicapped people. Brain-controlled devices could also find an application in the gaming and entertainment industry.
Although it may take many more years and additional research before the brain-controlled wheelchair finds its way into the real world, this breakthrough definitely seems to be moving the common man one step closer to maneuvering devices using brain waves.
