We are excited to announce that our innovative finger tracking sensor, Open Muscle, has been submitted to the Supply Frame contest on hackaday.io. Open Muscle is a device designed to track finger movements, making it a valuable tool for building computer interface devices or controlling prosthetic hands. It consists of a wrist cuff (forearm band) equipped with twelve custom-designed pressure sensors. These sensors, arranged radially around the forearm, use magnets, hall effect sensors, and springs to detect muscle motion.
The Open Muscle Band is an innovative forearm sensor suite designed to predict finger movements using pressure sensors and machine learning technology. Our goal is to demonstrate that affordable sensor solutions can be effectively applied to the biomedical industry, following straightforward and replicable procedures. To streamline the machine learning process, we developed the LASK system, which enables easy labeling of feature data.
The Open Muscle Band has been thoughtfully designed to be both cost-effective and computationally efficient. The current prototype employs the ESP32-S2, an affordable (~2 USD) microcontroller with 20 ADC GPIOs and Wi-Fi capabilities. Our unique combination of Hall effect and magnet sensor pairs delivers a high signal-to-noise ratio. The sensors are designed to detect muscle movements beneath the skin, which are often filtered out by other biometric sensors. Since muscles naturally amplify the nerve signals they receive, this approach provides some of the best low-noise signals available.
Sensor placement is a common challenge in the field of prosthetic sensors. We believe that this issue can be addressed by increasing sensor density and adopting a modular, scalable design for the system. This approach allows for greater adaptability and customization to meet individual needs.
This contest is specifically focused on assistive technologies, a field we are deeply passionate about. We\’re also delighted to share that our esteemed colleagues at Ultimate Robotics are participating in the same contest. We\’re looking forward to seeing the innovative solutions they\’ll bring to the table. For those interested in the specifics of the contest, the details for Challenge 2: Assistive Tech are available on their website.
We consider it a privilege to work on projects that have the potential to make a positive impact. I want to extend my personal gratitude to everyone who contributes to raising awareness about these projects. Your support encourages us and others to continue pursuing our dreams in this field. Thank you.
Our project has been featured in a recent Hackaday article, which you can read here.
This contest is specifically focused on assistive technologies, a field we are deeply passionate about. You can learn more about the contest on their website.
Our Friends Ultimate Robotics!
We\’re also delighted to share that our esteemed colleagues at Ultimate Robotics are participating in the same contest. We\’re looking forward to seeing the innovative solutions they\’ll bring to the table.
Check out our friends Ultimate Robotics https://hackaday.io/ultimaterobotics
For those interested in the specifics of the contest, the details for Challenge 2: Assistive Tech are available here.