A Multi-sensor armband based on muscle and motion measurements

This paper presents two simple approaches for fusing together motion and muscle (EMG) sensors to enhance control. The first approach fuses Gyro and EMG sensors to provide relative control, while the second approach fuses EMG, Accelerometer and Magnetometer for absolute control. A wearable prototype armband was developed which incorporates all the sensors. The armband enables any user with some level of yaw and pitch arm movements, as well as arm muscle voluntary contraction, to control an electrical device like a computer, a robotic arm, or a mobile phone. Simple data calculation from the motion sensors outputted pitch and yaw, while EMG threshold based techniques were used for a virtual enter button. The sensor fusion aims to create intuitive control, while not overcomplicating the design process. The interface was connected to a robotic arm and compared against other classical industrial control approaches. © 2012 IEEE.