The Aware Chair Project employs a power wheelchair as a mobile platform for context-aware computing which integrates a communication and environmental control system. A very unique aspect of the Aware Chair is that it will be controlled neurally, directly from the user's brain signals, by using a noninvasive (scalp electrode) EEG and the standard BCI2000 system.

The Aware Chair project is intended to facilitate communication and environmental control for people with severe physical disabilities by detecting and recording significant aspects of the user's environment, such as who is in the room, what time of day it is, and history of interaction with conversational partners. Algorithms are used to narrow the range of selection possibilities in an intelligent manner to present the user with the most appropriate choices for conducting a conversation or controlling the environment (such as lights, television, or radio).

For the communication system, we are incorporating word prediction strategies, conversation prediction strategies and contextual information in order to enhance communication speed. For the environmental control system, we are researching and developing neurally controlled interfaces to existing commercial environmental control technologies such as infrared controllers and X10.