Remote Co-Creation of Upper Limb Prostheses: Insights from a Feasibility Study

Upper-limb prostheses aim to replicate hand functionality for those with limb differences, but often fail user expectations due to multiple factors, including lack of sensory feedback, crucial for recognising contact and force application. In developing a user-centred device, researchers often face a barrier in obtaining suitable user input, due to the limited feedback interviews and lab activities can yield. Therefore, this study assessed the feasibility of remote co-creation in developing upper limb prostheses with sensory feedback, employing a user-centric Internet of Things approach. The project yielded insights into user preferences and needs in terms of sensory feedback, along with insights on the technical and communication challenges of such an approach. Results show that while remote co-creation has potential in enhancing prosthesis functionality and user satisfaction, there are significant hurdles to overcome. The limited participation and technical complexities encountered highlight the need for more robust systems and processes to facilitate effective remote collaboration. This study serves as a preliminary exploration in a promising but challenging field.