PyOhio

Exploration of Neural-Gestural Interfaces for the Control of Robots
By Rebecca Oet, Melissa Kazazic

As technology improves at a rapid rate, experimentation in the ways in which people interact with machines and computers becomes more significant. Most tools for communication are limiting as they only interact with a user on a basic level, usually on a two-dimensional plane. However, by taking advantage of new technology new interfaces can be designed in order to better interact with machines.

Saturday noon–12:30 p.m. in Cartoon 2

As technology improves at a rapid rate, experimentation in the ways in which people interact with machines and computers becomes more significant. The most common interfaces today are a mouse, keyboard, and screen. However, these devices are limiting as they only interact with a user on a basic level, usually on a two-dimensional plane. This project aims to create a more natural communication between the user and a machine, in this case a robot, through gestures and neural feedback. The data of hand and arm gestures are taken using the MyoBand, which records electrical impulses, to give the robot directions. The Emotiv headset is used to record the level of concentration of the user, so that the robot may only be controlled if the user is paying close attention.

We'll discuss:

  • Background on neural interfaces, gestural interfaces, and robots
  • Overview of technology used in the project: Emotiv headset, Myo Band, Raspberry Pi
  • Python scripts
  • Applications and future directions

Rebecca Oet

Rebecca Oet is a high school student from the Cleveland area. She is an intern at NASA and works with Melissa Kazazic on a project for the gestural and neural control of a robot. Rebecca is a beginner with Python but has some basic experience with Java. She participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition on team 2399, the Fighting Unicorns. In her free time, she likes to write poetry and draw.

Melissa Kazazic

Melissa is a high school student from the Cleveland area. She is an intern at NASA John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and works with Rebecca Oet on a project involving neural and gestural interfaces. Melissa is a beginner with Python and is relatively new to working with Raspberry Pis. She is also familiar with C# and HTML. In her free time, she likes to play tennis and draw.

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