Smart Artificial Hand for Amputees

A new method that improves control of robotic hands — in particular, for amputees — combines individual finger control and automation for improved grasping and manipulation. The technology merges two concepts from two different fields. One concept, from neuroengineering, involves deciphering intended finger movement from muscular activity on the amputee’s stump for individual finger control of the prosthetic hand. The other, from robotics, allows the robotic hand to help take hold of objects and maintain contact with them for robust grasping.