Soft, conformal bioelectronics for a wireless human-wheelchair interface.
There are more than 3 million people in the world whose mobility relies on wheelchairs. Recent advancement on engineering technology enables more intuitive, easy-to-use rehabilitation systems. A human-machine interface that uses non-invasive, electrophysiological signals can allow a systematic interaction between human and devices; for example, eye movement-based wheelchair control. However, the existing machine-interface platforms are obtrusive, uncomfortable, and often cause skin irritations as they require a metal electrode affixed to the skin with a gel and acrylic pad. Here, we introduce a bioelectronic system that makes dry, conformal contact to the skin. The mechanically comfortable sensor records high-fidelity electrooculograms, comparable to the conventional gel electrode. Quantitative signal analysis and infrared thermographs show the advantages of the soft biosensor for an ergonomic human-machine interface. A classification algorithm with an optimized set of features shows the accuracy of 94% with five eye movements. A Bluetooth-enabled system incorporating the soft bioelectronics demonstrates a precise, hands-free control of a robotic wheelchair via electrooculograms.
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
Saswat
S
Mishra
Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
James J S
JJS
Norton
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
Yongkuk
Y
Lee
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
Dong Sup
DS
Lee
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
Nicolas
N
Agee
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Yanfei
Y
Chen
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Youngjae
Y
Chun
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Electronic address: whyeo@vcu.edu.
Woon-Hong
WH
Yeo
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D004548:Elasticity; D004566:Electrodes; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
Conformal contact; Electrooculograms; Fractal structure; Human-wheelchair interface; Soft electrode; Stretchable electronics