Artificial hands, even the most sophisticated prostheses, are still by far inferior to human hands. What they lack are the tactile abilities crucial for dexterity. Other challenges include linking sensing to action within the robotic system – and effectively linking it to the human user. Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckerle from FAU has joined with international colleagues to summarize the latest findings in this field of Robotics – and establish an agenda for future research. Their piece in the research journal Science Robotics suggests a sensorimotor control framework for haptically enabled robotic hands, inspired by principles of the human's central nervous system.

A new breakthrough could prove a game changer for users of prosthetic hands by enabling new levels of dexterity. With current myoelectric prosthetic hands, users can only control one grasp function at a time even though modern artificial hands are mechanically capable of individual control of all five digits. A first-of-its-kind study has used haptic/touch sensation feedback, electromyogram (EMG) control and an innovative wearable soft robotic armband. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science in collaboration with FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science investigated whether people could precisely control the grip forces applied to two different objects grasped simultaneously with a dexterous artificial hand. They also explored the role that visual feedback played in this complex multitasking model by systematically blocking visual and haptic feedback in the experimental design.

A first-of-its-kind study using haptic/touch sensation feedback, electromyogram (EMG) control and an innovative wearable soft robotic armband could just be a game changer for users of prosthetic hands who have long awaited advances in dexterity. Findings from the study could catalyze a paradigm shift in the way current and future artificial hands are controlled by limb-absent people. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science in collaboration with FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science investigated whether people could precisely control the grip forces applied to two different objects grasped simultaneously with a dexterous artificial hand. For the study, they also explored the role that visual feedback played in this complex multitasking model by systematically blocking visual and haptic feedback in the experimental design. In addition, they studied the potential for time saving in a simultaneous object transportation experiment compared to a one-at-a-time approach.

An artificial hand is using artificial intelligence to see with an artificial eye. The new prosthetic can choose how best to grab objects placed in front of it automatically, making it easier to use. When it sees an object, the artificial hand detects the intention to grasp by interpreting electrical signals from muscles in the wearer's arm. It then takes a picture of the object using a cheap webcam and picks one of four possible grasping positions. The different grips include one similar to picking up a cup, one similar to picking up a TV remote from a table, one that uses two fingers and a thumb, and another that uses just the thumb and index finger.

In a special live edition of the programme, BBC Click's Kate Russell was joined by Dr Ravi Vaidyanathan from Imperial College London, along with PhD students Chris Caulcrick and James Clarke, to demonstrate the power of this technology. They showed off an armband that can'listen' to muscle movements in order to control an artificial hand - and described how biomechatronics could be used by gamers to play a computer game simply by blinking.