Brain Controlled Architecture for Human-Human Interaction Mediated by a Humanoid Robot

This paper presents an Assistive social robots architecture designed for social interaction with humans, mediated by a humanoid robot. The architecture has been designed for being used by people with severe paralysis and the architecture has been tested by a user affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a locked-in state. The system allows the patient to communicate with the stakeholders using a Brain Controlled Interface, based on Evoked Response Potentials (ERP), to express needing, feelings or writing phases. Stakeholders visualize messages sent by the patient on a GUI and use a tele operated humanoid robot as an avatar of them to extend their physical presence to interact with the patient even when they are away from him. This research demonstrates that is possible to insert humanoid robot into the conventional home management of ALS patients and a communication system that trough a Braincomputer interface (BCI) and a humanoid robot as avatar, can help increase the quality of life of the locked-in patients.