Revolutionary technology enables the brain to control a robot

Breakthrough technology, known as brain-computer interface (BCI) developed by researchers from EPFL's Center for Neuroprosthetics in Switzerland enables people to control external devices with their mind. Wirelessly connected either via an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap or a brain- implanted chip, and a computer, the robot has the potential to enable people with mobility issues greater freedom of movement in difficult spaces. 

The robot. YouTube/ EPFL

A man was able to control a robot using breakthrough technology developed by researchers from EPFL's Center for Neuroprosthetics in Switzerland.

The technology, known as brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, is revolutionary in its capabilities.

When people are hooked up to BCI technology, it gives them the ability to control an external device with their mind — sort of like mastering the force or telekinesis.

People became exposed to the ways BCI could assist people with spinal cord injuries during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when a man paralyzed from the waist down was able to kick a ceremonial goal. He wore an exoskeleton suit that he controlled using BCI technology.

More recently, Adam Fritz, a man who suffered a T6 spinal cord injury in 2008, was able to use BCI technology to walk again for the very first time without the assistance of robotic limbs.

The EPFL researchers are now showing how BCI technology can be used to control telepresence robots.

The robot, which is essentially a laptop on wheels, could allow disable people to navigate a space they might not be able to otherwise.

So far, the robot can only be commanded to go right, left, or forward (it's not like controlling a robot with a joystick). But, the robot has autonomous capabilities so that it can avoid obstacles.

People using BCI technology can either have a chip implanted into their brain or wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap, which presses flat metal discs against the scalp that are able to measure electrical impulses from the brain.

The EEG cap. YouTube/ EPFL

Because implanting a chip in the brain is so invasive, experiments are done using the EEG cap.

A small amplifier takes the feed delivered from the EEG cap and wirelessly delivers it to a computer to begin movement.

Watch a man control a robot using his mind here: