Table Tennis Prosthetic Hand Controlled Based on Distance Measurement Using a ToF Sensor.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Forearm amputees face challenges in table tennis due to limited pronation/supination, hindering racket angle adjustments for forehand and backhand drives.
• Existing prosthetic solutions may not adequately address the dynamic control needed for sports like table tennis.
• The ability to switch racket angles is crucial for executing effective table tennis strokes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel prosthetic hand for table tennis players with forearm amputation.
• To enable automatic switching of the racket angle for forehand and backhand drives.
• To assess the functionality and user satisfaction of the developed prosthetic hand.

Main Methods:

• A prosthetic hand was developed incorporating an electric wrist and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor.
• The ToF sensor measured the distance between the wrist and the trunk/upper arm to determine the required racket angle.
• The system controlled the racket angle for forehand and backhand drives based on sensor input.
• A participant with forearm amputation tested the prosthetic hand during a table tennis session.

Main Results:

• The developed prosthetic hand successfully switched the racket angle for both forehand and backhand drives.
• The participant could execute strokes and return balls, achieving an average of 6.3 returns per 10 seconds.
• The participant reported good satisfaction with the performance and functionality of the prosthetic hand.

Conclusions:

• The ToF sensor-controlled prosthetic hand is a viable solution for forearm amputees playing table tennis.
• This technology can restore essential movement capabilities, enhancing participation in adaptive sports.
• Further development could lead to improved prosthetic designs for athletes with limb differences.