In a world that celebrates technological innovation and connectivity, it is vital to remember that not everyone enjoys the same level of access to these benefits. Globally, more than 2.5 billion people require assistive products to overcome mobility impairments and speech communication disorders, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). These individuals often face significant challenges in their daily lives, struggling to communicate effectively and engage with the modern, technologically advanced world.

Brain-computer interface technology has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years and is, among other things, providing a long-awaited solution to those with motor impairments. These devices are used to provide functionality to paralysed people, control devices without difficult physical or spoken demands, create the controller of the future for AR/VR environments, and even change how astronauts function in space.

In the ever-evolving landscape of accessibility technology, brain-controlled assistive devices are poised to make a significant impact, offering newfound independence and capabilities to individuals facing motor and speech-related challenges in areas such as enabling paralysed individuals to steer their wheelchairs, operate household appliances, and much more. They are ushering in an era where interaction transcends traditional physical and verbal constraints and radically transforms the daily life of these individuals.

Understanding the types of impairments

To comprehend the significance of brain-controlled assistive devices, it is essential to first define the two primary categories of motor impairments they address:

1. Complete mobility impairments and paralysis. This category encompasses individuals with a diverse range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, quadriplegia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and even those who maintain control over their eye and/or facial movements, allowing for subtle gestures or slight head movements. While some may retain limited motor skills, their movement is significantly restricted, often requiring assistance with daily activities.
2. Speech communication disorders with motor impairments. People in this category not only struggle with mobility but also face challenges in speech communication, including conditions such as the locked-in syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders such as cerebral palsy, and those with spinal cords and traumatic brain injuries. Existing assistive technologies fall short in providing comprehensive solutions for them.

Both categories share common problems, including their reliance on assistance for tasks most take for granted and limitations in current assistive technologies.

Existing challenges in assistive technologies

Current assistive technologies, although invaluable, have limitations that impact the quality of life for individuals with motor impairments and speech communication disorders. These challenges include:

• Limited interaction – Many assistive technologies are unable to seamlessly interact with other devices, leading to dependence on caregivers, nurses, or personal assistants for even basic tasks.
• Single device interaction – Users often struggle with the inability to interact with multiple devices simultaneously, limiting their independence and productivity.
• Eye-tracking inefficiencies – Eye-tracking technology, a common solution, suffers from inefficiencies. It requires periodic calibration and often relies on infrared light, making it sensitive to various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight. Additionally, it may not work effectively for individuals with smaller or less distinct eye features, further limiting its reliability as an assistive solution.
• Gesture recognition – Distinguishing between intentional gestures, like blinks or slight, involuntary head movements, and unintentional ones remains a challenge, often resulting in misunderstandings and causing frustration among users.

A new, innovative solution for motor impairments: Brain-computer interface assistive devices

Brain-computer interface (BCI) assistive devices are working to overcome the limitations of current assistive products. BCI assistive devices translate brain and bio-signals directly into meaningful commands for devices.

For the first time, users with motor impairments can operate devices without difficult physical or spoken commands. The technology decodes a user’s eye movements, as well as their intentions and subtle commands, including blinks, winks, tongue movements, and more.

A real-world application showcasing the power of this technology is the AAVAA Headband. This groundbreaking wearable device uniquely operates as a ‘head mouse’ capable of deciphering a user’s head and eye movements, as well as their intentions and subtle commands. This capability empowers users to manage various devices, like phones, tablets, or assistive tools, with straightforward actions like a blink, thereby reshaping accessibility for individuals with limited motor function.