Project 5. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Control Using Face Gestures and electroencephalography (EEG), (current research).

Faculty: Dr. Alba Flores, Dr. Fernando Rios, Electrical Eng.; 1 REU student + 2 GSU MSc students + 2 GSU undergrads. Bimonthly report required.

Objective. Research the human-UAV interaction based on face gestures and electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Face gestures and mental concentration signals will be used to control an UAV.

Methods: The REU students will learn the design and implementation of a flight control interface of a drone using EEG signals. An Emotiv Epoc neuro headset and a DJI Spark Drone will be used.

Based on face gestures and brain signals, a set of commands will be designed to control a drone. Artificial intelligence techniques such as ANN and Fuzzy Logic will be used to recognize and classify the brain signals [4-8]. The control strategy will include four control parameters: a) Speed: longitudinal motion, that will be controlled by variation in pitch; b) Rotation: turning about the vertical axis, it will be controlled by variation of yaw; c) Translation: lateral displacement that will be controlled by variation of roll; and d) Altitude control: vertical translation [9-11]. The research will be divided in three main stages: 1) Calibration: the subject will perform training sessions for face gestures and mental concentration; 2) Control of a virtual drone and on an actual drone.

REU Student Research Outcomes: The REU participants will: 1) learn how an UAV systems operate; 2) learn how to acquire bio-signals (face gestures combined with EEG), 3) apply signal processing techniques to condition the signals (noise reduction and amplification), 4) learn about different methods to classify the bio-signals (using AI techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks), 5) apply intelligent control techniques to develop algorithms that will allow the bio-signals to control an airborne object; 6) be exposed to wireless communication standards; and 7) produce a draft paper and poster.