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  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Mind-controlled wheelchairs let people dodge obstacles with ease

A brain—machine interface allows people with paralysis in all four limbs to navigate a real-world environment.
Back view of a person wearing an electrode cap, using a wheelchair attached to a computer.

A person with limb paralysis learns to steer a wheelchair by thought alone. Credit: Luca Tonin

Brain—machine interfaces directly record neural activity and allow users to operate devices such as computers, robotic arms or wheelchairs with just their thoughts. These systems offer promise as assistive technology for people with limb paralysis — but have not gained widespread usage.

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Nature 612, 11 (2022)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-03719-z

References

  1. Tonin, L. et al. iScience https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.105418 (2022).

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