Hands-free operation of a small mobile robot

The Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center of Sandia National Laboratories has an ongoing research program in advanced user interfaces. As part of th is research, promising new transduction devices, particularly hands-free de vices, are being explored for the control of mobile and floor-mounted robot ic systems. Brainwave control has been successfully demonstrated by other r esearchers in a variety of fields. In the research described here, Sandia d eveloped and demonstrated a proof-of-concept brainwave-controlled mobile ro bot system. Preliminary results were encouraging. Additional work required to turn this into a reliable, fieldable system for mobile robotic control i s identified. Used in conjunction with other controls, brainwave control co uld be an effective control method in certain circumstances.