Research

Using mind control to empower those with disabilities

In 2016, Dr Mahnaz Arvaneh along with others at The University of Sheffield formed Team Gray Matter, an independent team, who trained to compete in a Cybathlon BCI Race. In this video, we hear from some of the members of the team, including their pilot, Peter Gray, about their experience so far and their expectations for the system.

In this work brain, using frontal electrodes of a low cost EEG headset and a novel machine learning classification algorithm, facial expressions successfully controlled a robotic arm in real-time. The EEG headset was also used to measure a user’s subconscious response to an error occurring. These error-related potentials were used as a way of detecting errors in the real-time facial expression controlled robotic arm.

This project aims to measure cognitive workload while a user is using the exoskeleton for walking in the lab. We are interested to see how mental workload changes over multiple sessions of practicing walking and find some criteria to evaluate if the user is ready to use this assistive device outside the laboratory.