Wheelchair controlled by thought

This new wheelchair type helps people with disabilities get to where they want just by thinking about the destination. Wheelchairs use a laser scanner to create holograms of the surrounding area, displayed on a screen in front of the user. The user then focuses on the part of the screen where they want to go and the wheelchair will meet their wishes.

Prototype driven by wheelchair - Photo: New Scientist

A hat with electrodes is used to capture the user's brain activity - and execute the command to the desired address. The sensors on the wheel also recognize the position of the wheelchair as it moves around the room. In addition, wheelchairs also use maps and sensors to drive around obstacles or people on its way.

Dr. Javier Minguez, wheelchair developer at the University of Zaragoza, Spain, claims volunteers take only 45 minutes to learn how to use this wheelchair. He describes: 'The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the convenience of wheelchairs. Volunteer groups have successfully solved the movement functions and learned how to use the device in the same way. '

This wheelchair is the latest device controlled by the power of thought. Last month, Japanese automaker Honda introduced a "mind reading" hat capable of controlling the movements of a robot.

However, the prototype of this wheelchair is not ready for commercial use because it only captures two thoughts every minute. Dr. Minguez said he hoped to develop wheelchairs more and more modernly in two years.