While some researchers are trying to figure how to control a wheelchair with brain power, others are taking a different approach that doesn’t involve drilling holes in one’s head. One team is exploring the possibility of controlling a wheelchair via tongue clicks that are measured with sensors that resemble earbuds. The technology hasn’t been tested with actual wheelchairs, but it could be a promising replacement for older (and less sanitary) sip-and-puff interfaces.
Sooner or later, wheelchairs with one of these newfangled controls will have to hit the consumer market and it will be interesting to see which one will achieve success first. The brain interface is still the holy grail, but its development seems to be proceeding in fits and starts. It’s encouraging to see that researchers are still throwing other things at the wall to see what sticks.
