Development of an assistive device controlled by surface electromyogram signals

Surface electromyography is a process which records the electrical activity of muscles at rest or during contraction. Processing of these signals for the purpose of controlling an assistive device allows the user to directly influence the actions of the device. The proposed exoskeleton device will assist the motion of a user in extension and flexion of the arm at the elbow, and manipulation of the fingers during grasping, by processing user electromyogram signals in real time with a single board microcomputer. The processed signal will then control either an electric motor or a linear actuator in order to generate the assistive motion, which will be calibrated to each individual user.