Feasibility of Using Gyro and EMG Fusion as a Multi-position Computer Interface for Amputees

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how a wearable armband that incorporates Gyro and EMG sensor fusion, can be used as a simple input device for upper body amputees. The armband enables any user with some level of yaw and pitch arm movement, and arm muscle voluntary contraction, to potentially control an electrical device like a computer, robotic arm, or mobile phone. Simple Gyro data calculates pitch and yaw, while EMG threshold based techniques are used for a virtual enter button. Only light weight signal processing is required to achieve acceptable results, reducing the required processing time on the microcontroller and receiving device, thereby allowing the Fusion Band to be interfaced with almost any device. Three locations on a users arm: wrist, upper forearm and bicep were tested, in order to simulate variations in amputation, while experiments on text input and computer navigation were preformed to analyze the devices usability as a computer interface. The device aims to make interaction in computer applications more intuitive for amputee users.