A Controllable Home Environment for the Physically Disabled Using the Principles of BCI

A Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a new form of communication established between the human brain and a digital computer. The main prioritized goal of the project is to allow a severely disabled person to control the surrounding home appliances from their situated place, with massively reduced requirement for movement. It offers an alternative to natural communication and control. For every thought, action or interaction of a person, a unique Event Related Potential (ERP) is generated in the brain as a result of various neurons being active. This mutual interaction of multiple neurons results in the development of a miniscule electrical discharge. Using an appropriate brain-wave sensor, we can resolve these electrical signals and associate them to proper driving operations using suitable computing procedures. Hence, even a person who does not have any control over the motor functions of his organs can seamlessly command and control the electrical appliances present in his abode from his seated place. Using currently available computing and electronic technologies, we demonstrate a prototype model where we control two electrical appliances, an LED GLS bulb and a CPU fan which represents the function of a typical appliance fan. Using MATLAB, we code the functionality of how the controlling action of the two appliances happen.