I think I’ve blogged previously about this wheelchair that can be controlled via facial muscles. The video accompanying the article shows a demonstration of the chair and it seems to work quite smoothly. The electrodes on the face are a bit unsightly, but the designers have plans for adapting the interface to a pair of goggles. The chair also has a proximity sensor that slows the chair down when an obstacle is near. I’m not sure this feature completely addresses my concern that a speck of dust in the eye could send the user careening into the street, but it’s better than nothing. This interface might have promise for other environmental controls as well, like turning on a television or opening a door. Until true neural interfaces are ready for prime time, this could be the next best thing for people with the most severe physical disabilities.
Oct 182011