What if your brain could steer a car?
Martin “Marty” McCorkle, a junior computer engineering student at UA Little Rock, isn’t just imagining the future, he’s building it! At this year’s Student Research and Creative Works Expo, Marty showcased something straight out of science fiction: a brain-computer interface (BCI) optimized for racing vehicles. He will be presenting at the Expo on April 18th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Jack Stephens Center.
Working with the Emerging Analytics Center (EAC), Marty’s project explores how EEG signals (brainwaves) can be used to control high-speed vehicle simulators. Think steering, braking, or acceleration, all using neural signals captured from the scalp and interpreted by machine learning models. It’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of neurotechnology, Virtual Reality (VR), and real-world mobility.
“This research is important because it explores the real-world potential of a technology still in its infancy,” Marty said. “By focusing on consumer applications like vehicle control, we can explore ways to make BCIs useful, accessible, and transformative in real-world settings.”
Marty’s journey started with custom circuit design and a dream of creating a DIY BCI from scratch. Facing time constraints he pivoted to OpenBCI’s Ganglion board and a VR racing sim, Assetto Corsa Competizione, using a Steam Index headset and Jetson Nano to drive the project forward. Despite setbacks, Marty’s resilience and resourcefulness turned his initial hurdles into a solid research foundation.
He’s not just doing this for a grade. This project sparked something deeper — a future. Inspired by his experience, Marty now plans to launch a startup dedicated to low-cost open-source BCI systems that can bring this emerging technology to classrooms and labs.
“It’s sparked a deep interest in neurotechnology and human-computer interaction,” he said. “I’m committed to making this technology more accessible through open-source platforms and educational tools.”
While real-time EEG-based steering still presents challenges, Marty’s team is now refining the system to recognize discrete commands, like braking and accelerating, where brainwave signals are clearer. They’re also embedding tech directly into the racing helmet, pushing the limits of mobile, intuitive, neural control systems.
The EAC is proud to support students like Marty, who bring ideas to life and turn the impossible into “in progress.” Come see what the future of racing (and maybe driving in general) looks like and check out Marty’s project! Driven not by hands, but by the mind.
