Brainchair is a mind controlled electric-powered wheelchair. Brainchair takes user commands directly from user's brainwaves. User doesn't need to use any of his/her muscles to move the chair. This wheelchair brings the most elegant human-computer interface for a good purpose.

Brainchair is specifically designed for people with paraplegia. This wheelchair will connect these people to life, they can go to anywhere they want. Also brainchair will be helpful for any people who are dependent to a wheelchair.

Brainchair's setup is very easy. It needs calibration only for the first time of use.
After that it's ready to go with any user whose brain functions properly. The brainchair acts according to the desire of the user. S/he decides on the directions  and speed by means of his/her brainpower and brainchair takes care of the rest. During the process, any irrelevant thoughts of the user, or not thinking anything stops the wheelchair which is one of the main reasons why it is so easy to use.

Underlying Technologies

Brainchair uses an EEG sensor for capturing brainwaves. The EEG Sensor is wireless and easy to wear. It has 14 sensors for accurate sensing. The actual photo of the EEG Sensor can be seen below:

For processing the brainwaves, Brainchair uses an ordinary laptop and a dedicated software. The software analyses the brainwaves and sorts out the commands.

After detecting the needed command, computer communicates the microcontroller of the motor controller, which makes the wheels turn.

Brainchair uses two high-torque brushless electrical motors with 3 long-lasting motorcycle batteries.

Software & Interface

The software of Brainchair consist of two parts:

1. Training Mode

   Training mode is the device calibration part of the software. This is just needed one time for every user. In training mode, software asks the user to think specific commands and emotions and records them. These specific commands and emotions are forward, backward, right, left and neutral. Screenshot of the training mode is given below:

2. Running Mode

   Running mode is the main part of Brainchair where wheelchair will moves if user thinks one of the commands forward, backward, right or left. Screenshot of the training mode (while user thinks the forward direction command) is given below:

    

Software System Requirements

• 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor (or equivalent).
• Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista or Windows 7.
• 1GB RAM.
• 100MB available disk space.
• Two unused USB 2.0 ports.