Design of a Low-Cost Robotic Arm controlled by Surface EMG Sensors

Abstract

The purpose of this paper has been the construction of a low cost robotic prosthesis and its control through the Arduino platform. The implementation of EMG/ECG electromyographic surface sensors has allowed to develop the control of the robotic arm in a simple and effective way. The system has sought to simulate the natural movements of the arm and hand. The EMG sensors serve as a bridge to detect the small electrical pulses produced by muscle activity and transform them into an analog signal that the microprocessor is capable of interpreting. Nowadays, the imminent advances related to robotics and modern control techniques have caused these disciplines of knowledge to be used as an educational complement in basic and higher education. On the other hand, the 3D printing technique has facilitated the modeling of the robotic prosthesis. Final Year Project (TFG) or Final Master Project (TFM), constitutes an academic activity that allows to evaluate in detail the different competences acquired by the students during their university education period. Develop and implement advanced control strategies in robotic elements, by remote or local control, is a clear example of academic work that causes extra motivation in science, technology and engineering students. This paper presents a novel and current electronic application such as the construction of a bionic prosthesis. At the same time, the different details related to its implementation have been discussed. The results obtained have also been obtained.