Abstract
The development of effective and user-friendly brain–computer interface (BCI) systems is essential for enhancing mobility and autonomy among individuals with physical disabilities. Recent studies have demonstrated significant advances in BCI technologies, particularly in the areas of motor imagery (MI), blink detection, and attention-level analysis. However, existing systems often face limitations, such as low classification accuracy, high latency, and poor robustness in dynamic, real-world environments. Furthermore, most traditional BCIs rely on single-modality approaches, which restrict their adaptability and real-time performance. This paper aims to address these challenges by presenting a multi-modal Electroencephalography (EEG)–fusion neurointerface wheelchair system integrating MI, intentional blink detection, and attention-level analysis. The proposed system improves on previous methods by employing a novel eight-channel needle-shaped dry electrode EEG headset, which significantly enhances signal quality through better electrode–skin contact without the need for conductive gels. Additionally, the system processes EEG signals in real-time using a Jetson Nano platform, incorporating a dual-threshold blink detection algorithm for emergency stops, an optimized random forest classifier for decoding directional MI, and a support vector machine (SVM) for attention-level assessment. Experimental evaluations involving classification accuracy, response latency, and trajectory-following precision confirmed robust system performance. MI classification accuracy averaged around 80%, with optimized attention-level analysis reaching up to 94.1%. Trajectory control tests demonstrated minimal deviation from predefined paths (typically less than 0.25 m). These results highlight the system’s advancements over existing single-modality BCIs, showcasing its potential to significantly improve the quality of life for mobility-impaired users. Future studies should focus on enhancing lateral MI detection accuracy, expanding datasets, and validating system robustness across diverse real-world scenarios.