Electroencephalogram (EEG) Headset-Controlled Lower Body Adjustable Cybernetic Exoskeleton through a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI): A Potential Rehabilitation Device for Physical Therapy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The researchers focused on the rehabilitation of people with physical difficulties and disabilities. Physical Therapy is a form of rehabilitation that aims to ease one's pain, which helps a person function, move, and live better. The hypothesis of this study is that the adjustment of the lower body adjustable cybernetic exoskeleton has no significant effect on the time it takes the exoskeleton to move. The main purpose of this study was to use an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset through a brain-computer interface (BCI) to control the exoskeleton, determine the efficiency of making an adjustable and relatively cheaper exoskeleton available to the public.

METHODS

The prototype was assembled by connecting two pieces of the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes with a 1-inch diameter to the casing of the servo motors. The six servo motors were placed to the hip, knee and ankle of the exoskeleton. The motors were connected to the Arduino mega 2560 microcontroller that was connected to a buck converter then to the power supply. The microcontroller was programmed using the C++ programming language. The EEG headset and the microcontroller were connected via Bluetooth 4.0. Testing was conducted at a multi-purpose hall with a smooth surface, and the exoskeleton was adjusted to three different heights.

RESULTS

The use of electroencephalogram (EEG) headset specifically the Emotiv Insight Brainwear was successful to control the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton at its maximum height of 108 cm had the longest average time in covering the distance of 3 meters which is 52.254 seconds. On the other side, the minimum height of the exoskeleton of 100 cm resulted to the shortest travel time. Hence, the height of the exoskeleton and the time it takes to travel a certain distance is directly proportional to each other. The data gathered was then analyzed in a One-Way ANOVA Test using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The calculated f value was 173.536. Furthermore, the f critical was identified by Table of Critical Values, the f critical was 3.10. Consequently, the calculated value and critical value was compared.

DISCUSSIONS

The null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. The researchers concluded that the adjustments of the lower body adjustable cybernetic exoskeleton had a significant effect on the time it took the exoskeleton to move.