Abstract Obtaining a complete biopotential acquisition system suitable for the real-world use of an intelligent wheelchair is still an open problem without a satisfactory solution. It is perhaps the single block that may be hindering the final step for use of this technology outside controlled environments. We introduce the basic electronic instrumentation background needed to understand the state of the art in acquisition equipment and the challenge of electromagnetic interference and artifacts. We then analyze the particularities of measurement on a mobile wheelchair and comment on available solutions, finally suggesting a sample practical design for a medium complexity multichannel acquisition system.