Mobility device and method for controlling the same
A mobility device may include a drive for driving the mobility device, a projector for outputting a visual stimulus, an electroencephalogram device for detecting a brainwave of a user, and a controller for controlling the drive and/or the projector. The controller may be connected to the EEG device, and may be configured to control the projector to output the visual stimulus to a surface at a position spaced by a specified distance from the mobility device.
1. An apparatus comprising:
an electric wheelchair;
a drive for driving the electric wheelchair;
a projector for outputting a visual stimulus;
an electroencephalogram (EEG) device for detecting a brainwave of a user; and
a controller configured to:
receive information from the EEG device;
control the drive;
detect an electromyography (EMG) signal generated from the user in a waiting state; and
cause the projector to output the visual stimulus at a distance from the electric wheelchair based on detecting the EMG signal.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the EEG device is configured to:
establish a communication channel with the controller in a designated wireless communication scheme; and
transmit a signal corresponding to the brainwave to the controller via the communication channel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the EEG device is configured for mounting on a head of the user in a dry manner and generating an electrical signal corresponding to the brainwave.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visual stimulus comprises a plurality of objects related to movement of the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of objects are output at different frequencies.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of objects has a checkerboard pattern.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of objects are positioned in a lower area in a vertical direction of the visual stimulus.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the projector is mounted at a base of the electric wheelchair.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the projector to output the visual stimulus and to suspend control of the drive for a specified time duration.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the brainwave includes a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP).
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
detect ambient light; and
adjust brightness of the visual stimulus based on the ambient light.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust brightness of the visual stimulus, based on an angle at which the visual stimulus is output or a distance by which the visual stimulus is projected at a position.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the projector is configured to output the visual stimulus at brightness greater than or equal to a specified brightness level.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
detect a color of a surface around the electric wheelchair; and
control the projector to output the visual stimulus in a color contrasting with the color of the surface.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to end movement of the electric wheelchair based on detecting a designated EMG signal.
16. A method comprising:
detecting, by a controller, an electromyography (EMG) signal generated from a user in a waiting state;
causing, by the controller, a projector to output a visual stimulus to a surface spaced apart from an electric wheelchair by a specified distance based on the detecting the EMG signal;
receiving, from an electroencephalogram (EEG) device, a signal indicating a brainwave induced based on the visual stimulus;
generating a control signal corresponding to the signal; and
controlling a drive of the electric wheelchair based on the control signal.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the receiving the signal comprises receiving a signal indicating an electrical signal generated by the EEG device in response to the brainwave detected via dry contact of one or more electrodes of the EEG device with a user's head.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the visual stimulus comprises a plurality of indications of possible actions of the electric wheelchair.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of indications are output at different frequencies.