Transactions on Machine Intelligence

Transactions on Machine Intelligence

An Electromyography Recording and On-Line Driving System for a Robotic Wrist

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Graduated in Medical Engineering-Biomechanics, Department of Mechatronics Eng., University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Rehabilitation for individuals suffering from motor disabilities caused by conditions such as spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, or stroke-related complications remains a significant challenge in both clinical practice and the daily lives of patients. As the global incidence of such conditions continues to rise, the need for effective and accessible rehabilitation solutions has become more urgent. In particular, the development of home-based assistive technologies, which enable patients to undergo therapy without frequent visits to medical centers, has become a key area of interest in biomedical engineering. Among these technologies, exoskeleton robots have emerged as promising tools for restoring lost motor functions. Recent advancements have shifted from predefined motion execution toward intelligent systems capable of recognizing the user's movement intentions. This study presents the design and implementation of a wrist exoskeleton prototype controlled by electromyographic (EMG) signals. The system uses an Arduino microcontroller integrated with EMG modules to detect muscle activity in the forearm and drive a servo motor, enabling wrist movements such as flexion-extension and abduction-adduction. EMG signals were recorded in a controlled laboratory environment following standard motor task protocols. Signal preprocessing and movement classification were carried out using MATLAB, utilizing its serial communication toolbox to interface with the Arduino board. The developed algorithm generates three-state control commands to drive the motor, allowing smooth, real-time imitation of voluntary wrist movements. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for future application in wearable, intelligent rehabilitation systems tailored to individual users.
Keywords

  • Zhou, Y., Chen, C., Ni, J., Ni, G., Li, M., Xu, G., ... & Lemos, S. (2020). EMG signal processing for hand motion pattern recognition using machine learning algorithms. Archives of Orthopaedics, 1(1), 0–0.
  • Barański, R., & Kozupa, A. (2014). Hand grip-EMG muscle response. Acta Physica Polonica A, 125(4A), A-7. https://doi.org/10.12693/APhysPolA.125.A-7
  • Farago, E., Chinchalkar, S., Lizotte, D. J., & Trejos, A. L. (2019). Development of an EMG-based muscle health model for elbow trauma patients. Sensors, 19(15), 3309. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19153309
  • Abas, N., Bukhari, W. M., Abas, M. A., & Tokhi, M. O. (2018). Electromyography assessment of forearm muscles: Towards the control of exoskeleton hand. In 2018 5th International Conference on Control, Decision and Information Technologies (CoDIT) (pp. 822–828). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CoDIT.2018.8394906
  • Rahman, M. H., Ochoa-Luna, C., & Saad, M. (2015). EMG based control of a robotic exoskeleton for shoulder and elbow motion assist. Journal of Automation and Control Engineering, 3(4), 270–276. https://doi.org/10.12720/joace.3.4.270-276
  • Jarque-Bou, N. J., Vergara, M., Sancho-Bru, J. L., Roda-Sales, A., & Gracia-Ibáñez, V. (2018). Identification of forearm skin zones with similar muscle activation patterns during activities of daily living. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 15, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-018-0437-0
  • Malešević, N., Olsson, A., Sager, P., Andersson, E., Cipriani, C., Controzzi, M., ... & Antfolk, C. (2021). A database of high-density surface electromyogram signals comprising 65 isometric hand gestures. Scientific Data, 8(1), Article 63. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-021-00843-9
  • Bermeo Varon, L. A., Villarejo Mayor, J. J., Arcos, E. F., Quiguanas, D. M., Bravo, A. A., & Perez Plaza, V. (2019). Acquisition protocol and comparison of myoelectric signals of the muscles innervated by the ulnar, radial and medial nerves for a hand orthoses. In International Conference on Applied Technologies (pp. 129–140). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42531-9_11
  • Ozdemir, M. A., Kisa, D. H., Guren, O., & Akan, A. (2022). Dataset for multi-channel surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of hand gestures. Data in Brief, 41, 107921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2022.107921
  • Merlo, A., Bò, M. C., & Campanini, I. (2021). Electrode size and placement for surface EMG bipolar detection from the brachioradialis muscle: A scoping review. Sensors, 21(21), 7322. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217322
  • Hu, X., Suresh, N. L., Xue, C., & Rymer, W. Z. (2015). Extracting extensor digitorum communis activation patterns using high-density surface electromyography. Frontiers in Physiology, 6, 279. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2015.00279
Volume 7, Issue 1
Winter 2024
Pages 1-10

  • Receive Date 06 November 2023
  • Revise Date 12 January 2024
  • Accept Date 02 March 2024