RemoteHand: A wireless myoelectric interface

Abstract

While myoeletric signals (MES) have long been employed for actuating hand prostheses, their potential as novel input for the interaction with computer systems has received little attention up until now. In this contribution, we present RemoteHand, a system that fosters remote device control through the transmission of myoelectric data over WLAN. This allows to manipulate objects through the user's muscle activity regardless of their physical location. In our setup, a mechanical hand is controlled through electromyographic (EMG) sensors placed over the user's forearm muscles. This approach is compared to a conventional remote device control exercised by a tablet touchpad. The results of our user study show that wireless interaction through myoelectric signals is a valid approach. Study participants achieved interaction speeds equal to those of a standard input method. Users especially value myoelectric input with regard to novelty and stimulation. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.