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This man can control an avatar with his mind

by Marianne Lucien and the ETH Zurich Editorial Team, 10 February 2020
Despite being paralyzed, this man can control the motion of an on-screen avatar in a specially developed video game called, “BrainDriver.”

Samuel Kunz played competitive handball and liked to snowboard, but in a second his life changed completely. A swimming accident resulted in quadriplegia – leaving him paralyzed and not able to move his legs or even his fingers. However, through a brain-computer interface (BCI), he can now control the motion of an on-screen avatar in a specially developed video game called, “BrainDriver.”

Using only his thoughts, Kunz controls the motion of the avatar directing his brain signals through focus and visualization. Kunz is a pilot – a disabled person testing out new technology – for the Future Health Technologies team out of the Singapore-ETH Centre. He and the team are preparing for an international competition called, “CYBATHLON.” CYBATHLON 2020 anticipates more than 90 teams consisting of pilots who are also members of teams of researchers and developers who design state-of-the-art technologies enabling disabled persons to complete everyday tasks. Fourteen of these teams will be competing in the Brain-Computer Interface race on 2 – 3 May 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland.
Samuel Kunz piloting the BrainDriver game. Image: ETH Zurich / Marianne Lucien
But can brain-​computer interfaces (BCIs) really read your mind? Today’s BCIs can measure brain signals using eye movements to capture thoughts, but this solution is not always practical in daily life activities in which the eyes are needed for other tasks. Brain waves can be easily detected using electroencephalography (EEG) to detect brain signals; however, other methods, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) will also be allowed in the Cybathlon race.

In this podcast, Samuel Kunz shares his story and talks about what it takes to prepare for Cybathlon 2020 BCI race.

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© ETH Zurich Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect those of ETH Zurich. In addition, ETH Zurich is not responsible for the content of external links.
#Africa #Asia-Pacific #Climate Change #CYBATHLON #Diplomacy #Diversity & Inclusion #EHW2023 #Engineering #ETH4Development #ETH Global Lecture #ETH Student Project House #ETH Studios #Europe #Events #Exchange Programme #Food #Foresight #Future of Work #Geography #Health #How we connect #How we cope #How we learn and work #How we reflect #How we respond creatively #Hyperloop #Information Technology #Innovation in Architecture #Latin America #LINO23 #Machine Learning #Mathematics #North America #Quantum #RETHINKING LIVING #Robotics #Smart Cities #South Asia #Space #Sports #Study Abroad #Summer School #Sustainable Development Goals #togETHer #your 2040