Brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies aim to provide a bridge between the human brain and external devices. Prior research using non-invasive BCI to control virtual objects, such as computer cursors and virtual helicopters, and real-world objects, such as wheelchairs and quadcopters, has demonstrated the promise of BCI technologies. However, controlling a robotic arm to complete reach-and-grasp tasks efficiently using non-invasive BCI has yet to be shown. In this study, we found that a group of 13 human subjects could willingly modulate brain activity to control a robotic arm with high accuracy for performing tasks requiring multiple degrees of freedom by combination of two sequential low dimensional controls. Subjects were able to effectively control reaching of the robotic arm through modulation of their brain rhythms within the span of only a few training sessions and maintained the ability to control the robotic arm over multiple months. Our results demonstrate the viability of human operation of prosthetic limbs using non-invasive BCI technology.

Virtual Cursor TaskLeft and right virtual cursor control data set.1D_PreRun.rarVirtual Cursor TaskTwo-dimensional virtual cursor control task.2D_PreRun.rarRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping taskRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping task of four fixed targetsF4Targets.rarRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping taskRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping task of five fixed targetsF5Targets.rarRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping taskRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping task of a randomly located targetF1RandTarget.rarRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping taskRobotic Arm Reach and Grasping task of moving a target from table onto a shelf.4STEP3DGrasping.rarReadmeInstruction of how to use the data