Cybernetic actuators. Muscle mechanics and hardware model

Mechanical properties of the skeletal muscle are outlined from the engineering point of view, focusing on the modulation of the viscoelasticity. It is shown that the dynamic property of the muscle varies with the activation level of voluntary contraction in man. Basic ideas of the hardware model (artificial cybernetic actuator),whose mechanical property is similar to those of the contracting muscle, are explained. Finally, a myoelectric prosthetic hand is depicted as an example of the application of the hardware model