Project description
Improving coordination of artificial limbs
Artificial supernumerary limbs (SLs), which are human controlled wearable robotic arms, have the potential to allow their user to perform actions that they would otherwise not be able to perform with their natural limbs. The development and understanding of such devices, for their use independently of and in combination with the user’s natural limbs, presents new and unique opportunities for automation and in the assistance of individuals suffering from impairment after stroke. Scientists of the EU-funded TRIMANUAL project aim to overcome current SL limitations associated with user interfaces, lack of a control framework and incomplete sensory feedback. They plan to advance SL technology and provide a real-time interface with simultaneous sensory feedback which will offer the possibility for effortless control.
Objective
Artificial supernumerary limbs (SL) that assist their user with minimal cognitive effort and can be seamlessly controlled both independently and also in combination with their natural limbs, are a popular vision of science fiction. The realisation of this vision could revolutionise industry and surgery, by allowing individuals to achieve actions that are otherwise impossible with only their own natural limbs. Furthermore, SLs could have profound impact on the lives of the disabled, by replacing or restoring the functionality of an impaired limb. While the study and evaluation of robotic limbs is well established, their usage as artificial SLs has been limited by restrictive control user interfaces, the lack of a control framework for coordinated trimanual operation, and incomplete sensory feedback. For SLs to become a functional technology for everyday life they need to provide continuous real-time interfaces with simultaneous feedback and control of the different degrees of freedom so that the user can both uniquely, without confusion, identify the mechanism's position/force and control the SL such that it can act independent of and in combined behaviours with the user's other limbs.
To tackle this ambitious goal, I have contacted pioneers with key technology in the emerging field of SL research. In collaboration with them, I will in TRIMANUAL:
(i) Push the borders of SL technology by integrating high density EMG and vibrotactile sensory feedback into existing robotic devices to allow for intuitive and effortless SL control in real-time;
(ii) Understand the cognitive underpinnings of SL usage by studying how they can be controlled and embodied for both independent operation and coordinated behaviours with the natural limbs;
(iii) Apply and demonstrate SLs using the highly relevant medical application of supporting daily activities in stroke patients.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgery
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologystroke
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
- humanitieslanguages and literatureliterature studiesliterary genresessaysscience fiction
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
SW7 2AZ LONDON
United Kingdom