Electrical stimuli to ease hand muscle movement with PossessedHand

Sony, along with the Tokyo University, has made PossessedHand, which is portable and useful device for controlling human hand by using electrical muscle stimuli for those who are suffering from stroke or they have lost control over their muscular movement due to head injury.

PossessedHand

The glove-type device sends signal in the form of electrical stimuli to your fingers for controlling the movements as well as inform about the timing of stimulus. PossessedHand imparts electrical stimulus to the forearm because the muscles that control the fingers and the wrist are present in the forearm.

PossessedHand looks like a sphygmomanometer or blood pressure meter and is suitable for daily purpose. It comes with a forearm belt and along with this device, it's makers also provide a hand guide to instruct a beginner how can they play musical instruments e.g. koto with the help of PossessedHand.

Hand Gestures

Researchers externally implanted one Arduino and 28 electrode pads, into this device, which essentially translate into 14 electrodes in each hand. Electrodes flex between each joint of your finger. Previously this technique was used by various scientists but they inserted the electrodes into the skin and the signals were strong which was very painful for the wearer.

On the other hand PossessedHand sends mild signals that feels like hand massage and features noninvasive electrode pad. An automatic calibration system watches each and every stimulation and muscle movement and in turn instructs the electrode pad. It can control movements of 16 joints of hands. It can even control finger movement without any help of brain. Its stimulation level range is between 17 to 29 volts.Therefore, the PossessedHand is the future of many tangible devices.

Via: Rekimoto