Alternative control methods were developed almost as soon as the electric wheelchair was created. Several different control schemes were created, but the most common utilized head movement to control the wheelchairs.

There are many different control setups that are used today, including several that utilize head movements. One of the most common types of alternate wheelchair control uses the breath of the user to control the chair. The occupant will blow or suck through a small straw, which controls the wheelchair.

Several different wheelchair control systems are currently in the development stage, which use computers to control the chair. One uses voice recognition software to control the chair, while another uses a small magnet that is stuck to the riders tongue. A special headset picks up the movements of the magnet and sends them to a computer.

Recently, thought controlled computers have begun to be experimented with. This is commonly referred to as a brain-computer interface (BCI.) The development of a BCI actually began in the seventies, but it wasn’t until the middle of the nineties that an actual working prototype was built.

A brain-computer interface offers two different services. It can allow an individual to interact with a computer or it can be used to help trigger nerves and possible facilitate movement. In the terms of wheelchair control, the ability to interact with the computer is of most importance, but being able to have the computer signal back if there is an object in the way, could also be extremely beneficial.

In regards to wheelchairs, this technology offers many exciting applications. Computer controlled wheelchairs are currently available and being developed. These machines can be for the most part completely controlled by a laptop, so using BCI, an individual will eventually be able to control their wheelchair with only a thought.

There are two main types of Brain Controlled Interfaces: Invasive and non-invasive. Invasive BCI, involves physically implanting an electrode into the brain. These offer the clearest signal, but pose a health risk, as sometimes the area will scar or weaken. There are also a less invasive version that implants electrodes into the head, but not into the brain. This improves signal, but reduces the risk of irritating the brain.

Non-invasive BCIs are more common today. A user will wear a piece of headgear that is covered in electrodes. The signal is weaker, but it is currently safer to use in this manner.

Brain Controlled Computers will likely play a big part in rehabilitation treatment in the future. Several studies and commercial ventures are currently taking part in research and development of BCI. There are several systems available that allow a user to control a computer with their mind and thereby allowing them to speak and communicate their thoughts.

The earliest electric wheelchairs used a joystick control that was attached to the arm of the chair. However, scientists quickly realized that there were still many people who would not be able to use this type of chair, so other methods of control quickly developed. Today, the joystick is still predominantly used, but there are also several other options that allow someone without movement of their hands to use their chair. Two professors at MIT have recently announced the development of another control system, which when fully developed should revolutionize the way electric wheelchairs are controlled.

Computer programmers have been trying to develop adequate working voice recognition software for many years, but it has traditionally been very hard to train and very unreliable. However, within the past few years the technology behind voice recognition has greatly improved and today there are several popular software programs available that allow computers to be controlled by a persons voice.

Two professors from MIT, Seth Teller and Nicholas Roy, have set out to apply voice recognition software to the mobility industry and thus far the results look very promising. The system works by first training the wheelchair, then simply issuing it simple voice commands. For example, the chairs occupant will drive the chair to their bedroom and when they are in the bedroom they will say “This is my Bed Room.” The next time they want to goto the bedroom, they can simply issue the chair a voice command and it will know what to do.

This is not the first time that a system like this has been used, but earlier methods had relied extensively upon detailed blueprints and maps. This system differs, because it uses a series of wireless access points, which are positioned around the building or area where the chair will be used. This makes it much more versatile, because it can be easily used in almost any environment.

The system has been extensively tested on MIT’s campus and recently testing has begun at a local nursing home. More than 100 residents of the nursing home are now helping iron out the bugs of these devices, which will benefit not only those in the wheelchairs, but also their caretakers.

Nokia and Microsoft are both helping to fund the development of this project. For more information, check out MIT’s news release