Experimental Model of a Robotic Hand Controlled by Using NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile Headset

Abstract

The paper proposes an experimental model of a robotic hand that can be controlled by the execution of voluntary eye-blinks, which are artefacts across the electroencephalographic signal detected by using NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile - second version - headset. For doing this, a LabVIEW application was developed in order to acquire data from the headset, process them and select a specific command related to the flexion or extension of one of the four digits (fingers: pinky, ring, middle and index) from the structure of the robotic hand. It was also obtained the integration of software modules in order to achieve the communication between three devices: the Arduino Uno board, the computer and NeuroSky headset. Both simultaneously and separately control of all the four fingers are allowed. The usefulness of the experimental model consists in providing training sessions aimed to increase the safety and trust of future users. Thus, they can benefit from a device characterized by higher precision and increased accuracy regarding the possibility to control a robotic hand by using voluntary eye-blinking.