2 computer engineering students develop bionic prosthetic arm

A bionic prosthetic arm designed to help individuals with limb differences has been developed by two computer engineering students from STI College Ortigas-Cainta.

With the help of an amputee, the developers thoroughly studied how electromyography (EMG) sensors and machine learning can be used to control a bionic prosthetic arm, Martin Javier said in his "Game Changer'' report on ''24 Oras'' on Friday.

“Naramdaman namin na sobrang hirap gumalaw noong pandemic. Kung mahirap gumalaw para sa atin, how much more yung mga fellowmen natin na merong limb difference,” said Astro Sta. Ana, one of the developers.

(We felt that it was very difficult to move during the pandemic. How much more difficult is it for our countrymen who have limb differences to move if it is already tough for us?)

The EMG sensor picks up the muscle activity or muscle signal from the person wearing it, and the signal will transfer to the microcontroller inside the bionic prosthetic arm, which will determine, transmit, and command what kind of movement it will make.

“Ang tinarget lang po namin is below elbow para may muscle pa po na makuha from amputee. One major problem din po sa mga prosthetic devices is yung lack of feedback sa mga user. Bale hindi po nila nararamdaman kung may nahahawakan na silang objects. So, nag-implement po kami nun sa every finger na may force sensor then magba-vibrate siya kung gaano kalakas yung hinahawakan niyang object,” said James Cenina, also a developer.

(The only thing we are targeting is below the elbow so that there is still muscle to get from the amputee. One major problem with prosthetic devices is the lack of feedback from users. They don't feel anything if they are touching objects. So, we implemented that on every finger with a force sensor, then it will vibrate according to how strong the object he is touching.)

The bionic prosthetic arm costs between P50,000 and P70,000, which is less expensive than the typical body-powered and cosmetic prosthetics, which cost between P500,000 and P1 million each.

The project, which the group plans to patent, was recognized as the best thesis at STI College Ortigas-Cainta. — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News