Drone Control based on Mental Commands and Facial Expressions

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel drone control system using EEG signals from a headset, enabling control without traditional devices and potentially aiding disabled users.

Contribution

It introduces a brainwave-based drone control method utilizing EEG signals and wireless communication, offering a new interaction paradigm.

Findings

EEG signals successfully used to control drone movements

Wireless transmission via Bluetooth and MQTT implemented

Potential for assistive technology applications

Abstract

When it is tried to control drones, there are many different ways through various devices, using either motions like facial motion, special gloves with sensors, red, green, blue cameras on the laptop or even using smartwatches by performing gestures that are picked up by motion sensors. The paper proposes a work on how drones could be controlled using brainwaves without any of those devices. The drone control system of the current research was developed using electroencephalogram signals took by an Emotiv Insight headset. The electroencephalogram signals are collected from the users brain. The processed signal is then sent to the computer via Bluetooth. The headset employs Bluetooth Low Energy for wireless transmission. The brain of the user is trained in order to use the generated electroencephalogram data. The final signal is transmitted to Raspberry Pi zero via the MQTT messaging protocol. The Raspberry Pi controls the movement of the drone through the incoming signal from the headset. After years, brain control can replace many normal input sources like keyboards, touch screens or other traditional ways, so it enhances interactive experiences and provides new ways for disabled people to engage with their surroundings.