DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATED WHEEL CHAIR AND ITS CONTROL USING ELECTRO-ENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG) SIGNALS FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.

Authors

ANIRUDHA UPADHYAY, ABHISHEK AGARWAL

VIT UNIVERSITY, VELLORE

TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Abstract:

This paper presents the concept of electroencephalogram based control of an electric wheelchair.

The objective is to control the direction of an electric wheelchair using only EEG signals. To achieve this goal, a wheelchair is automated with necessary algorithms and mechanical hardware’s for safe movement and a recursive algorithm is developed to generate recognition patterns from EEG signals a. This algorithm uses digital signal processing techniques which are implemented in LabVIEW Signal Processing kit. The setup consists of an electro-cap (electrodes), electroencephalography, an electrode box, an analog-to-digital converter, and computer. The wheelchair draws power from battery. Wheelchair perform task in two modes semi-autonomous and full autonomous mode. The chair is to be programmed effectively for collision detection, Line Following, and Remote detection that provide good coverage of the chair’s surrounding template. The ultrasonic and IR sensors are used to image surrounding environment. The patterns generated from EEG are sampled at constant rate. These are then compared with the already stored recognized pattern using correlation. The signals are generated based on correlated output which drives the chair. This chair is helpful for patients with limb disability and elderly persons.

Keywords: EEG signals, Electro-cap (electrodes), Electroencephalography, Digital Signal Processor