The Development of a Brain-Computer Interface for Controlling a Robotic Arm and a Mobile Device by Using the Voluntary Eye Blinking

Abstract

Exploring the challenges raised by the brain-computer interface (BCI) multidisciplinary field, this paper provides a real-time LabVIEW application for controlling a six degrees robotic arm using the NI myRIO development board and the NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile portable headset. By detecting and numbering the consecutive, voluntary eye-blinks, the necessary commands accomplished two different approaches of controlling the robotic arm. The proposed solution encompasses a completely functional BCI experimental prototype based on a simple working principle, straightforward control mode, realtime running, friendly graphical user interface, and effective communication between hardware and software-enabled by LabVIEW graphical programming environment. An additional feature of the proposed brain-computer interface system is the mobile robot underlying the robotic arm so that people with neuromotor disabilities can benefit from a versatile assistive biomechatronic device.