Brain-Powered Avatar Lets Dancer with MND Shine on Stage Again!

Breanna Olson is a dancer from Tacoma, Washington, who has always loved ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. Two and a half years ago, she was diagnosed with ALS, also known as motor neurone disease. This illness slowly weakens the muscles and makes it hard to move, speak, or even breathe. For Breanna, this meant she could no longer dance the way she used to. She thought her days of performing on stage were over. However, thanks to new technology, Breanna recently got the chance to dance again in a very special way.

In December, Breanna traveled to Amsterdam to take part in a unique performance at the OBA Theatre. She sat on stage in her wheelchair, wearing a red shirt, brown pants, and a special EEG headset. This headset, created by Dentsu Lab and NTT, could read the electrical signals from her brain. When Breanna imagined herself dancing, the headset picked up her brainwaves and sent them to a computer. The computer then controlled a digital avatar made of blue dots, which danced on stage in real time. While Breanna stayed seated, her avatar moved gracefully, guided by her thoughts. Other dancers in pale green costumes performed beside her, making the show even more beautiful.

Breanna described the experience as magical and exhilarating. She said she never dreamed she would be able to dance on stage again. The audience gave her a standing ovation, and Breanna felt proud and happy. The technology she used is part of a project called Waves of Will, which aims to help people with disabilities express themselves and enjoy their hobbies again. The researchers hope that, in the future, this technology could be used for other things, like controlling wheelchairs or remote controls.

Learning to use the EEG headset was not easy for Breanna. She had to practice focusing her mind and ignoring everything around her. She said it was challenging but also rewarding. The experience helped her feel connected to her passion for dance again. Breanna believes that technology like this can help people with disabilities show their talents and feel valued. She hopes her story will inspire others with ALS and give them hope. She wants people to see that those with disabilities are not just sick, but have wisdom and abilities to share.

The scientists behind the project want to make brainwave technology more affordable and available to everyone. They believe that, with more research, it could help many people with different needs. Breanna’s performance in Amsterdam was just the beginning. She hopes that, by sharing her story, she can help change the way people think about disabilities and show that everyone has something special to offer. She says her experience proves that the mind is powerful and that we can do more than we think, even when facing big challenges.