Page 14 - Orthofeed 2022_issue1_June

News Article 13

News Article

Unique wearable soft-robotic armbands:
Transforming lives of prosthetic users

Scientists from Florida Atlantic University's (FAU) College of Engineering and Computer
Science in collaboration with FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, have engineered a
unique wearable soft robotic armband that can transport simulated sensations of touch to the robotic
hand users. Thehaptic/touch sensation feedback enabled subjects were able to grasp and transport two
1, 2
objects simultaneously with the artificial hand without breaking or dropping them, even when their vision of
objects was obstructed. The technology can offer a quantum leap to people with artifical hands allowing
2, 3
them to effectively multitask with their prosthetic hands. 2

Findings from the study could catalyze a paradigm shift in the way current and future artificial hands are
controlled by limb-absent people. 2

A novel multichannel wearable soft robotic armband conveys artificial sensations of touch to the robotic hand
users via soft actuators. The vibrotactile stimulators indicate whether the grasped object(s) are intact or
1, 2
broken. 1, 2, 3 In addition, the simultaneous control approach improved the time required to transport and deliver
both objects compared to a one-at-a-time approach commonly used in prior studies. 2, 3

The multifunction control of the armband was demonstrated by suitable examples like a card pinched between
the index and middle fingers, while the thumb and little finger were used to unscrew the lid of a water bottle
simultaneously. 2, 3

This is an active area of research and more evidence is desirable to develop complicated bimanual operations
to enable prosthetic arm users to lead a near-normal professional and social life with multiple opprotunities
that are currently not accessible to them. 1, 2, 3

References

1) Abd MA, Ingicco J, Hutchinson DT, Tognoli E, Engeberg ED. Multichannel haptic feedback unlocks prosthetic hand dexterity. Sci Rep.
2022;12(1):2323. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-04953-1
2) Novel wearable armband helps users of prosthetic hands to “get a grip”: Researchers design first-of-its-kind multichannel soft
robotic armband that conveys artificial sensations of touch. ScienceDaily. Accessed March 2, 2022.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220211080635.htm

3) Wearable robotic armband enables users of prosthetic hands to have better dexterity. AZoRobotics.com. Published February 14,
2022. Accessed March 2, 2022. https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=12743