IRISH GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Brain-machine Interface (BMI) and Virtual Reality for Assisted

Walking and Powered Mobility: Innovative
Technologies for Neurorehabilitation
PRESENTER: ENGR. SAQIB
ZAFAR
LECTURER
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL, MECHATRONICS AND MANUFACTURING
ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE, PAKISTAN
Educational Background

2007-2011
2018
Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics
Engineering 2012-2016
Graduated from
University of Wah, Pakistan Master of Science in Mechatronics
Overall CGPA=3.89/4.00
Engineering
Graduated from
National University of Sciences and Technology,
201 Islamabad, Pakistan 202
Overall CGPA=3.50/4.00
9 0
 Professional Experience
2011-2014 2014-2016 2016-2017
2018
Lab Engineer Junior Lecturer Lecturer
Department of Mechatronics Department of Mechatronics Department of Mechatronics
Engineering Engineering, Engineering
Wah Engineering College, Wah Engineering College Wah Engineering College,
University of Wah, Pakistan University of Wah, Pakistan University of Wah, Pakistan

201 202
9 0
 Professional Experience
2018-2023 2018-2023 2021-2022
2018
Lecturer Research Internee
Department of Mechanical, Human-Center Robotics Lab,
Mechatronics, and Manufacturing National Center of Robotics and
Engineering Automation, Pakistan.
University of Engineering and
Technology, Lahore
(Faisalabad Campus). Pakistan
201 202
9 0
 Research Publications

03 Journal Publications

07 International Conference
Proceedings
 Research Projects conducted at Human-Centered Robotics
Lab, National Center of Robotics and Automation,
Pakistan

1. Development and Evaluation of Low-cost Data Acquisition

System using Heterogenous Sensors for Lower Limb Prosthesis
2. Control of Active Knee Prosthesis

Research Projects conducted at the University of

List of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Projects 1. Identification of Lower Limb Activities Using Brain-Computer

Interface
2. A non-invasive Brain-Computer Interface for Service Robot.
3. Design and Development of Stair Climbing Wheelchair
4. iSight: A smart cane for Visually Impaired People (Won a
Startup from Punjab Innovative and Technical Board, Pakistan)
5. Agribot for Precision Farming (Collaborative Project with the
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan)
6. Human Hand Gestures Recognition using Body Sensor
Network.
 Neurological disorders that
can cause mobility
impairment

The patient can face

Introduction staggering emotional and
financial lifestyle changes.

They require one or more

assistive devices to perform
their mobility with ease.
 Challenges

The biomechanics of
human-body is complex
Acquiring human movement is
necessary; especially, when designing
prosthetic/orthotic devices to cater

conducting
and game/animation
mobility impairments physiotherapeutic rehabilitation exercises
development, etc.
studies
 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

How one can acquire the human

moment data????

vision-based motion
capture systems Wearable Heterogenous
Sensors
,
 Combine brain-machine interface (BMI) with virtual
reality (VR) technology

Proposed
Research Produce novel strategies to enhance
(Purpose) quality of life, rehabilitation.

In this research, a combined Brain Machine Interface

with Virtual Reality technology is proposed for
assistive walking and powered mobility
 1 2 3 4 5 6

Implement Develop a Analyze the Apply the Validate the Investigate

immersive robust data acquired machine effectiveness the neural
Research virtual reality
environments
acquisition
system capable
of recording the
signals and
apply the
learning
algorithms to
of the
combined
and
behavioral

Objectives that provide

realistic and
engaging
EEG signal
related to
walking
preprocessing
filters to
remove the
train the
Neural
network
BMI-VR
approach in
assisting
changes
induced by
the BMI-VR
scenarios for activities by noise and model and walking and intervention
using brain-
neurorehabili machine
artifacts from classify the powered and its
tation. interface system the signal. desire signal. mobility in potential for
(Motor individuals neurorehabili
Imaging). with tation.
neurological
impairments.
Methodology
A three-level control strategy will be used.
At high-level control, the parameters related to lower limb activities
(level ground walking, ramp-up and ramp down walking, stairs-up and
down walking) will be measured by collecting the
electroencephalography (EEG) signals of the participants.
At medium-level control, the raw signals will then be analyzed, and
machine learning techniques will be applied to accurately classify the
lower limb activities.
At low-level control, the device control parameters (position/ speed, and
torque/force) will be tuned to manipulate the assistive device for
walking at different speeds and allow the device to adapt to altered
situations and environments.
Block Diagram
Conclusion
A BMI-VR framework for the lower rehabilitation is proposed, combining BMI and VR
technology to increase the activation in certain brain regions involved in performing movements
related to the lower limbs.

The system will be used to analyze the acquired data and then will be used for the training of
artificial neural networks to classify the desire signals.

The classified activity will then be executed on the assistive device.

Thank You