Fly Drones with Your Mind at 2nd Annual WeRockIT Conf
Published: 2020-02-07 21:08:06

###Huntsville Technology Conference Features Brain-Robot Interaction Keynote

WeRockIT Conf, a Huntsville technology conference for inclusion in tech, announced one of their their 2020 keynotes, human-centered computing specialist Dr. Chris S. Crawford. After speaking in the conference's first year, University of Alabama assistant professor Chris Crawford was invited back to host a live demonstration of his brain-driven drones. The keynote will be given at WeRockIT Conf on March 26 - 27th, 2020 at ADTRAN in Research Park.

[See local footage of Crawford's brain-driven drones on YouTube here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1TdAWCGu2c)

Crawford's live demonstration will allow attendees of WeRockIT to attempt piloting drones with a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), a process driven by brain waves. Similar BCI technology has helped some paralyzed patients to control prosthetic limbs in labs across the country. [Ticket sales are open now](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/werockitconf/268601).

![A head and shoulders portrait of human-centered computing specialist and WeRockIT 2020 keynote Dr. Chris S. Crawford.](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/0kk14qqh302lyg86ms5b.png)

###How do brain-driven drones work?

For these particular drones, the operator wears headbands that go around their forehead. These headbands can detect how strongly a user is concentrating. As covered in [Crawford's Forbes feature](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristykiernan/2019/04/03/mind-controlled-drones-not-as-far-away-as-you-think/#2905c9cf190f), the drones are reacting to beta and gamma waves produced by high levels of mental processing - like doing mental math. 

More sensitive brain-computer interaction interfaces, such as ones that cover the entire head, act like EEG monitors and can pick up electrical activity in discrete areas such as the motor cortex. At the same time, the computer algorithm analyzes aggregate patterns of electrical activity. For example, if someone imagines clenching their fist, many areas of the brain can light up. Ultimately, the computer can listen and send signals to the drone if it detects the keyed activity.

###What's next for brain-controlled systems?

Neurotech hardware, [a fast growing discipline](https://www.cbinsights.com/research/neurotech-startups-to-watch/), must develop products with more fidelity. At the same time, the software must improve to better detect those signals generated by the users. Ultimately, this technology can help people with paralysis to brain-control prosthetic limbs, including brain-controlled walking after paralysis.

![WeRockIT Conf 2020 Logo](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/vtdfl5usw5k6gmsx6ihj.png)

###About WeRockIT 2020

Created to build a community focused on inclusion and excellence in tech, the conference connects people from across the country for a series of keynotes, workshops, talks, and meetups. On the conference's second year keynote, Chairman of the Board Lacey Reinoehl said, "WeRockIT Conf continues to be a showcase for the diverse technical talent of the Southeast, and we're proud to bring Chris Crawford's pioneering research to the Huntsville community." 

Founded in 2018, WeRockIT celebrates inclusion and excellence in tech as well as provides workshops for underserved communities in tech throughout the year. [Ticket sales are open now](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/werockitconf/268601).