Design and Implementation of Brain Controlled Electric Wheel Chair for Quadriplegic Persons

Abstract

Quadriplegia refers to a condition where the body experiences paralysis below the neck, affecting the trunk, legs, and arms. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 5.4 million individuals are afflicted by quadriplegia. Offering secure and independent mobility to such a substantial population aligns with the United Nations' (UN) third sustainable development goal of promoting good health and well-being. Addressing this challenge demands innovative, and user-friendly solutions. To tackle this pressing issue, this paper introduces a hardware-based implementation of a brain-controlled electric wheelchair tailored for quadriplegic individuals. The proposed system comprises an electric wheelchair, an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset, a Bluetooth module (HC-05), a controller, and gear motors. The EEG headset captures brain signals, and transmits them to the controller via Bluetooth. The controller communicates with motor drivers, propelling the wheelchair in desired directions: left, right, forward, or backward-based on the extracted brain signal information. For a comprehensive solution catering to a wider audience of individuals with disabilities, the manuscript also uses joystick-controlled wheelchair, a cost-effective option for those with leg impairments. The implemented solution stands out for its speed, user-friendliness, and safety, incorporating a collision avoidance system to ensure user well-being.