EMG Signals as a Way to Control Soft Actuators

Abstract

Physical impairments have multiple causes, making them common. Locomotion disorders have been afflicting society for a long time, motivating researchers and engineers to mitigate their consequences. Nowadays, solutions such as exoskeletons and exosuits are in constant development and may become reliable options to help people in these circumstances. However, prospective solutions need a control system acting as a “bridge” between the external device (actuators) and the user. Among several possibilities, movement prediction is prioritized over movement reaction. This task may be done by capturing and processing biological signals from a user’s body. Within this paradigm, muscle electromyographic (EMG) signals were acquired, processed and sent as input to piezoelectric soft actuators.