Monday, June 29, 2009

Toyota Working on Thought Controlled Wheelchairs

Filed under: Neurology , Prosthetics , Rehab

Not to be outdone by Honda with their assisted walking device earlier this year, Toyota has announced that they are working on a wheelchair that can be navigated with brain waves. You think of the direction and the wheelchair goes in that direction.

Photo Credit: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP

The interface control works such that a computer analyzes brain waves through electroencephalography electrodes while an individual thinks of a direction to move. The system then translates those wave patterns into a movement direction of the chair. Toyota reports that the delay between thought and movement can be as small as 125 milliseconds with an accuracy rating of 95%.

This technology is in the very beginning stages of development, but the hope is that this type of interface can be used for rehabilitation and technology development for patients with limited mobility. Toyota has shown a video of this system in operation, but has not given it to the pubic and has no definitive time table for commercial development.

RIKEN Press Release : Real-time control of wheelchairs with brain waves

Daily Mail : Toyota develops wheelchair that can be steered using brain waves

Flashback : The Future of Legs Is Here, Well, in Detroit

(hat tip: Jalopnik)

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