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Using mind control to empower those with disabilities

A person with disabilities operating a brain-controlled game.

In October 2016, Switzerland hosted the world’s first Cybathlon, where pilots with severe physical disabilities complete a series of challenges using advanced assistive technologies.

The Cybathlon provides a platform for accelerating the development of new skills and novel assistive technologies that are useful for people with disabilities where they need it most – in daily life. Cybathlon athletes not only tackle challenges, proving their speed and skill using the most up-to-date prostheses and technologies, they also play a vital part in the development of these assistive devices.

Dr Mahnaz Arvaneh along with others at The University of Sheffield formed Team Gray Matter, an independent team, who trained to compete in a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Race.

In this video, we hear from some of the members of the team, including their pilot, Peter Gray, who took some time out from his intensive training at the University to talk to us about his experience so far and his expectations for the system.

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