Wearable robotic glove for grip enhancement

Wearable Robotic Glove for Grip Strength Enhancement Based on Single EMG Sensor MAV Analysis

This technology is a control system for a wearable robotic glove that assists with grip strength by placing a single electromyography (EMG) sensor at the musculotendinous junction of the flexor digitorum superficialis to measure the Mean Absolute Value (MAV) of the EMG signal and identify the user's intent in real time.

Conventional multi-sensor EMG analysis methods require individual user training, precise sensor placement, and are prone to frequent malfunctions caused by body movement.

This technology proposes a method of controlling the glove's grip module by placing a single EMG sensor at the musculotendinous junction of the flexor digitorum superficialis and triggering the device when the measured MAV falls outside of user-defined activation and deactivation thresholds. This allows for stable grip enhancement with a simple configuration that eliminates the need for individual training. It can be used to assist workers in industrial settings and support daily activities for the elderly and patients, while the single-sensor design reduces production costs, accelerating the mass adoption of wearable robots.

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Key Features:

• A sensor module worn on the user's forearm, a control module worn on the body, and a grip module worn on the hand
• A sensor band configuration that precisely positions the sensor unit at the musculotendinous junction of the flexor digitorum superficialis, which is responsible for finger flexion
• A sensor unit consisting of a single EMG sensor that captures EMG signals from the musculotendinous junction of the flexor digitorum superficialis
• An identification algorithm that detects grip intent and controls the grip module based on the MAV, calculated by summing the absolute amplitudes of the captured EMG signals

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This invention was developed with support from the Human-Centered Soft Robotics Research Center of the Ministry of Science and ICT.