Review of real brain-controlled wheelchairs

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a promising avenue for assistive technologies.
• Traditional mobility aids can limit autonomy for individuals with severe motor impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state-of-the-art in brain-controlled wheelchairs (BCWs).
• To classify existing BCW systems based on key characteristics.
• To analyze trends and identify future challenges in BCW technology.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of BCW research.
• Classification of BCWs based on electroencephalographic (EEG) signal type, navigation system, participant tasks, and performance metrics.
• Comparative analysis of different EEG signal types used in BCWs.

Main Results:

• Established a classification framework for BCW systems.
• Highlighted differences in performance metrics across various BCW configurations.
• Identified key factors influencing BCW effectiveness and user autonomy.

Conclusions:

• BCWs hold significant potential for restoring mobility and independence.
• Further research is needed to optimize signal processing, navigation, and user-interface design.
• Standardization of evaluation metrics is crucial for advancing the field.