iRobot

Published on 19 Apr 2022. Written by Jagmohan

Can you move a robot by using your brain? Yes, it is possible now. In this project, you will make a robot that you can control using your brain. All you have to do is think, and the robot will move. If you think that the robot has to move forward, the robot will move forward.

You will record the electrical activity of your brain using EEG. Then, use ML algorithms to analyse the data sets and give the required commands to your bot.

Project description:

EEG: It stands for electroencephalogram. It records the activity of the brain. It has a visualization in the form of graphs.

EEG headset: It is a helmet that consists of electrodes. These electrodes can record minute electrical changes in the brain. It consists of stainless steel, Teflon and lead wires. These electrodes are affixed to the scalp to get the readings.

Amplifier: The electrical activity recorded by the electrodes is very small. You need to amplify it to get the desired readings.

Computer Control Box: It reads the input from the electrodes. Then, it converts the input into graphs. These graphs can be displayed on a screen for visualization. You will also record the data for analysis.

MATLAB & SIMULINK: It is a computing environment that allows various simulations. You will use this to perform data analysis. Based on this analysis, you will control the bot. Also, you will program the Arduino UNO using the Arduino IDE.

Arduino UNO: It is a multi-purpose board that contains the microcontroller ATMEGA 328. It contains 13 digital and 6 analog input/output pins.

Motor Driver: It contains an L293D IC. It can control two motors based on input from Arduino UNO.

Bluetooth module: You will connect the bot to the computer via Bluetooth.

EEGLAB: It is a MATLAB tool that can process EEG signals. It also provides several modes of visualization based on the input received. Graphical representation is the best way to understand it.

Project implementation:

Connect the EEG headset to the Computer Control Box. Now wear the headset.
Start the system to get the brain activity on the screen.
Now use ML in MATLAB to read the dataset and perform analysis.
Based on the analysis, set certain conditions to move your bot. Do the coding for the same.
Build the chassis for the robot. Fix motors and Arduino UNO.
Interface Bluetooth module with the Arduino UNO using appropriate wires.
Type the code for connecting the computer to the Bluetooth module. Also, it should be able to send the data after the analysis.
Type the code in Arduino IDE for moving the robot. It will be based on the input received by the Bluetooth module.
Connect your computer with the Bluetooth module. Now run the code on MATLAB to send data based on the analysis.
As there is no perfect way to do it, try out different iterations. You have to try it till you get an optimized result.

Programming Language: Arduino (C++), MATLAB, Simulink.

Kit required to develop iRobot:

Technologies you will learn by working on iRobot:

iRobot

Any Questions?

Subscribe for more project ideas