BioMyo

Using electromyography to create a low-cost prosthetic arm that mimics muscle movements in the arm. An Arduino, EMG sensor, electrodes, and motor were used.

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Inspiration

In Ukraine, there are over 20,000 amputees, many of which are in need of prosthetic technology. This, combined with poor economic conditions, leaves many helpless. This project aims to provide low-cost prosthetic technology to those who don't have the means to access them otherwise.

What it does

The 3D printed prosthetic arm mimics your bicep movements, which helps treat phantom pain, which is a common symptom of post-amputees.

How we built it

We printed 3D parts using a Bambu X1 Carbon, and used an Arduino, paired with an EMG (Electromyography) sensor to measure muscle movement. We used a DC motor, embedded in the prosthetic, in order to simulate the movements of your arm.

Challenges we ran into

The motors we had access to didn't have enough torque. The ones provided had an max torque of 2kg/cm. Ours needed ~15-20kg/cm. We originally wanted to use a servo due to its accuracy, and ability to measure the amount of radians it was rotated in.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are happy that we are doing something that can help a lot of people. In terms of electronics, we got the Electromyography sensor working, along with the 3D printed parts in time. Half of our team didn't know about electronics, and half knew about coding. Also, most of us didn't know each other before the hackathon, so we are happy we got along.

What we learned

We learned a LOT about motors, Arduino coding, and project management. Since this is our first hackathon (except for Duy and Thomas), we learned that we should have done more research/ acquired more parts before starting this competition.

What's next for BioMyo

Our future plans for BioMyo involve integrating generative AI, such as ChatGPT, to record and analyze user data, similar to the functionality of an Apple Watch. Additionally, we plan to implement an EEG(electroencephalogram) device to record user data. These enhancements aim to make the technology short and easy to understand, further improving the user experience and accessibility.

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