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Multichannel haptic feedback unlocks prosthetic hand dexterity
Moaed A Abd1, Joseph Ingicco1, Douglas T Hutchinson2
1Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Scientific Reports
|February 12, 2022
Summary
People with upper limb differences can now control prosthetic hands for simultaneous grasping and transport. Novel haptic feedback technology allows for multitasking with artificial limbs, improving dexterity and efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Robotics
Background:
- Loss of tactile sensation hinders prosthetic hand functionality and multitasking for upper limb-absent individuals.
- Current myoelectric prosthetics are limited to single grasp control, despite advanced mechanical capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate precise grip force control for simultaneous grasping of two objects using a dexterous artificial hand.
- To develop and evaluate a novel haptic feedback system for enhanced prosthetic hand operation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multichannel wearable soft robotic armband for conveying artificial touch sensations.
- Testing subjects' ability to grasp and transport two objects simultaneously with a dexterous artificial hand using haptic feedback.
- Assessing performance with and without visual obstruction of the objects.
Main Results:
- Subjects successfully grasped and transported two objects simultaneously without dropping or damaging them.
- Haptic feedback enabled precise grip force control for complex, simultaneous tasks.
- Simultaneous object transport resulted in significant time savings compared to sequential methods.
Conclusions:
- Multichannel haptic feedback integration enhances motor control strategies for artificial limbs.
- This technology represents a paradigm shift in prosthetic hand operation, enabling complex multitasking.
- Restoring tactile sensation is crucial for improving the functional capabilities of prosthetic devices.
