Soft robotic armband gives prosthetic hand users natural control

Study participants successfully grasped and transported two objects at once without dropping them. Prosthetic hands have long struggled to replicate the dexterity and functionality of natural hands, often limiting users to a single grasp function at a time. This limitation has made everyday tasks, such as typing on a keyboard or braiding hair, challenging for those who rely on prosthetics. However, a groundbreaking study from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers promising advancements that could transform the experience of prosthetic hand users. Researchers at FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, in collaboration with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, conducted an innovative study that combined haptic feedback, electromyogram control and a wearable soft robotic armband.