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This remote-controlled robot, with a nose-mounted camera,
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turns right and left, moves up and down, and even flies
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through a ring, all on command from a controller,
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who uses a special instrument.
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And what is this instrument?
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The controller's mind.
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Here at the University of Minnesota, professor Bin He
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and his team have engineered a noninvasive system,
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called a brain/computer interface, that allows a person
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to control a robot using only their thoughts.
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Dr. He's team includes Alex Doud and Karl LaFleur.
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For example, if you imagine making a fist
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with your right hand, it turns the robot to the right.
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And if you imagine making a fist with both hands,
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it moves the robot up.
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Here's how it works.
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When the controller imagines a movement,
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without actually moving, specific neurons
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in the brain's motor cortex produce electric currents.
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These currents are detected by electrodes in an EEG cap,
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which sends the signals to the computer.
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The computer translates the signal pattern into a command
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and beams it to the robot via WiFi.
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In this case, "turn right."
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This brain/computer interface technology is all
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about helping people with a disability
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or various neurodegenerative diseases-to help them regain
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mobility, independence, and enhanced performance.
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We envision they'll use this technology
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to help control wheelchairs,
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artificial limbs, or other devices.
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This has tremendous potential for people
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who can't move or speak.
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And the best part is it's completely noninvasive.
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Nobody has to have a chip implanted in their brain to pick
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up the neuronal activity.
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We are very proud to have taken this step toward that goal.
