Touch-sensitive, self-healing AiFoam may find use in robotics and more

There are now a number of materials designed to give robots or prostheses a sense of touch. And while most of them are thin and skin-like, a new alternative takes the form of a spongey foam – and it combines several desirable qualities.Continue Reading… Continue reading Touch-sensitive, self-healing AiFoam may find use in robotics and more

New amputation technique may offer better control of prosthetic limbs

For some time now, we’ve been hearing about prosthetic limbs that are designed to work with amputees’ bodies. MIT researchers are taking a different approach, though, with a new type of amputation that facilitates the use of prostheses.Continue Reading… Continue reading New amputation technique may offer better control of prosthetic limbs

A Gesture Recognizing Armband

Gesture recognition usually involves some sort of optical system watching your hands, but researchers at UC Berkeley took a different approach. Instead they are monitoring the electrical signals in the forearm that control the muscles, and creating a machine learning model to recognize hand gestures.

The sensor system is a …read more

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High-tech armband detects user’s hand gestures

There are already computer vision systems and sensor-equipped gloves that can detect a person’s hand gestures. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have developed an alternative technology, however, that offers some key advantages.Conti… Continue reading High-tech armband detects user’s hand gestures

Meticulous Bionic Hand

[Will Cogley] is slowly but surely crafting a beautiful bionic hand. (Video, embedded below.) The sheer amount of engineering and thought that went into the design is incredible. Those who take their hands for granted often don’t consider the different ways that their digits can move. There is lateral movement, …read more

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What If You Could Design Your Own Aluminum Hand?

[Ian Davis] has decided to start over on his hand. [Ian] is missing four fingers on his left hand and has for a year now been showcasing DIY prosthetics on his YouTube channel. Back in July, we covered [Ian]’s aluminum hand.

Why aluminum? [Ian] found himself reprinting previous versions’ 3D …read more

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Mind-controlled prosthetic arms “feel” like the real thing

An international team of scientists is reporting success with one of the most advanced bionic arms ever made. The system is integrated into the patient’s nerves, allowing them to control the prosthesis just by thinking about it, the way you would with … Continue reading Mind-controlled prosthetic arms “feel” like the real thing

Walking robot uses neural net to change gaits

Insects rapidly transition between different walking gaits, in response to external stimuli. Scientists have now created a small robot that can do the same thing, utilizing an integrated artificial neural network – the technology might ultimately find … Continue reading Walking robot uses neural net to change gaits