Eight-year-old Clifford "Cliffy" Lester, a non-verbal student with physical challenges at the John McGivney Children's Centre School Authority in Windsor, Ontario, used a brain-computer interface (BCI) to make popcorn. The technology translates Cliffy's brain activity into commands, allowing him to activate the popcorn machine by imagining a smile.
The BCI program, supported by a $30-million donation to expand access to about 20 children's treatment centers across Ontario, uses a sensor headset to measure brain activity. The software distinguishes between neutral and active thoughts, enabling users to control devices and activities.
Cliffy's success highlights the potential of BCI to empower children with disabilities, giving them direct control over their environment. The John McGivney Children's Centre is one of the sites gaining access to BCI, which has already benefited six students, improving their literacy, communication, and numeracy skills. The BCI program will be rolled out to additional treatment centers over five years, providing clinicians with a new tool to support children with disabilities.