The birth of brain-computer exoskeleton robot
When it comes to exoskeleton systems, there are many related demonstration videos on the Internet. A few days ago, a research institute of the Second Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation was able to develop a "brain-machine exoskeleton robot". Put on this "armor", even a thin person can instantly become a "Hercules".
In the laboratory of this institute, the reporter was fortunate to experience the power of this "brain-machine exoskeleton robot". After wearing this technology-rich "helmet", the reporter has a detailed operation page in the field of vision. Without talking, just selecting the "handling" function with his eyes, the central processing terminal can quickly capture the user's intention. This "brain computer exoskeleton robot" can assist users to easily lift 50 kg of heavy objects.
Zhang Lijian, the deputy chief designer of the team project leader, told reporters that the "brain-machine exoskeleton robot" can recognize the EEG signals generated by the visual cortex, thereby achieving the function of "idea control".
In the laboratory of this institute, the reporter was fortunate to experience the power of this "brain-machine exoskeleton robot". After wearing this technology-rich "helmet", the reporter has a detailed operation page in the field of vision. Without talking, just selecting the "handling" function with his eyes, the central processing terminal can quickly capture the user's intention. This "brain computer exoskeleton robot" can assist users to easily lift 50 kg of heavy objects.
Zhang Lijian, the deputy chief designer of the team project leader, told reporters that the "brain-machine exoskeleton robot" can recognize the EEG signals generated by the visual cortex, thereby achieving the function of "idea control".
Inspired by exoskeleton robots
In order to develop this product, Zhang Lijian led the team for 6 years. Their initial research and development inspiration was due to a national appearance exhibition experience 10 years ago. At that exhibition, Zhang Lijian first encountered "exoskeleton robot". At the exhibition site, international scientific researchers used "exoskeleton robots" to easily move heavy objects, which made him very impressed.
At that time, this technology was still in a blank situation in China. So, Zhang Lijian sprouted the idea of making an exoskeleton robot. Facing the practical dilemma of the extremely lack of technology and data, Zhang Lijian bravely carried the burden of research and established a research team. After painstaking research and development, the "exoskeleton robot" independently researched in China finally came out.
At that time, this technology was still in a blank situation in China. So, Zhang Lijian sprouted the idea of making an exoskeleton robot. Facing the practical dilemma of the extremely lack of technology and data, Zhang Lijian bravely carried the burden of research and established a research team. After painstaking research and development, the "exoskeleton robot" independently researched in China finally came out.
Research difficulties in brain-computer exoskeleton robot
During the test, Zhang Lijian found that the "exoskeleton robot" could not assist the user to go up and down stairs. So he first tried to install a control switch on the hand of the robot. After a series of tests, this operation method was very inconvenient when handling goods. Later, he tried to control the robot with voice, but the voice control system responded very slowly. Just when everyone had no idea, Zhang Lijian came up with a novel idea-control the robot with EEG signals.
Although the EEG signal transfer rate is fast, it is particularly susceptible to interference. An ordinary life experience, let Zhang Lijian quickly find a solution to the problem. One day after returning home from get off work, Zhang Lijian buckled the metal helmet on the mobile phone, and the phenomenon that the mobile phone signal completely disappeared. At this time, an idea sprang up in his brain: "If the signal receiver is embedded inside the helmet, the problem of the previous interference of EEG signals may be solved."
Although the EEG signal transfer rate is fast, it is particularly susceptible to interference. An ordinary life experience, let Zhang Lijian quickly find a solution to the problem. One day after returning home from get off work, Zhang Lijian buckled the metal helmet on the mobile phone, and the phenomenon that the mobile phone signal completely disappeared. At this time, an idea sprang up in his brain: "If the signal receiver is embedded inside the helmet, the problem of the previous interference of EEG signals may be solved."
Improvement of brain-computer exoskeleton robot
Zhang Lijian then quickly put this idea into practice. Within a few days, a "brain conscious helmet" was born. When the tester puts on the "brain consciousness helmet", the EEG signals that can be generated successfully instruct the exoskeleton robot to move. Seeing this scene, everyone was excited. "Although the range of robot movement is not large, it can prove that our efforts are in the right direction." Zhang Lijian said.
Subsequently, Zhang Lijian led several engineers of the team to debug the program and optimize the code, thoroughly remove the phenomenon of interference noise, and finally achieve the stable operation of the exoskeleton robot. After the product was finalized, Zhang Lijian named the improved product "brain-machine exoskeleton robot".
Zhang Lijian took the "Brain Machine Exoskeleton Robot" with confidence to participate in the World Robot Conference and won the "BCI Brain Machine Interface Competition Innovation and Innovation Award".
If the World Robot Congress is a first show, then the "Super Hero Warrior-2019" Individual Exoskeleton System Challenge organized by the Army Equipment Department is a big test. In the competition with many exoskeleton robots in China, the "brain machine exoskeleton robot" broke through the obstacles all the way with its advantages of easy operation and flexible maneuver, and finally won the championship of two projects across obstacles and ammunition loading.
After returning home with praise, Zhang Lijian and the team did not stop the pace of research and development. Not long ago, a new generation of "brain machine exoskeleton robot" came out. Zhang Lijian said that he believes that in the near future, after continuous improvement and upgrading, new "brain-machine exoskeleton robots" with lighter weight, stronger functions, and higher informationization will become the "new darling" of future battlefield applications.
Subsequently, Zhang Lijian led several engineers of the team to debug the program and optimize the code, thoroughly remove the phenomenon of interference noise, and finally achieve the stable operation of the exoskeleton robot. After the product was finalized, Zhang Lijian named the improved product "brain-machine exoskeleton robot".
Zhang Lijian took the "Brain Machine Exoskeleton Robot" with confidence to participate in the World Robot Conference and won the "BCI Brain Machine Interface Competition Innovation and Innovation Award".
If the World Robot Congress is a first show, then the "Super Hero Warrior-2019" Individual Exoskeleton System Challenge organized by the Army Equipment Department is a big test. In the competition with many exoskeleton robots in China, the "brain machine exoskeleton robot" broke through the obstacles all the way with its advantages of easy operation and flexible maneuver, and finally won the championship of two projects across obstacles and ammunition loading.
After returning home with praise, Zhang Lijian and the team did not stop the pace of research and development. Not long ago, a new generation of "brain machine exoskeleton robot" came out. Zhang Lijian said that he believes that in the near future, after continuous improvement and upgrading, new "brain-machine exoskeleton robots" with lighter weight, stronger functions, and higher informationization will become the "new darling" of future battlefield applications.
