EMG Interfaces for Enhancing Human-Machine Collaboration

Our research focuses on advancing control systems that enable intuitive, real-time interaction between humans and machines through neuromuscular interfaces. These systems leverage muscle signals (electromyography, EMG) to provide precise control over robotic devices, such as prosthetic arms or robotic limbs, and improve human-machine collaboration.

Key scientific contributions include the development of high-density EMG systems that allow for robust long-term control of complex robotic systems, such as a 7-DoF robot arm. This innovation enhances motor skill learning and leads to more reliable performance over extended periods of use. Additionally, the research explores how muscle synergy — the coordinated activation of groups of muscles — drives the development of more effective myoelectric control systems. This work contributes to improved performance, retainment of motor skills, and generalization of control across various tasks. Furthermore, the project addresses challenges in simultaneous multifunction control, offering insights into the role of muscle synergies in enhancing myoelectric control systems for more complex human-machine interactions.

This research paves the way for more intuitive and effective interfaces that significantly improve the ability of humans to control robotic systems in both prosthetic and assistive technology contexts.

Three Representative Papers (see Publications for a complete list)

Mark Ison, Ivan Vujaklija, Bryan Whitsell, Dario Farina and Panagiotis Artemiadis, “High-Density Electromyography and Motor Skill Learning for Robust Long-Term Control of a 7-DoF Robot Arm,” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering, vol. 24(4), pp. 424-433, 2016. [pdf]

Mark Ison and Panagiotis Artemiadis, “Proportional Myoelectric Control of Robots: Muscle Synergy Development drives Performance Enhancement, Retainment, and Generalization,” IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 31, issue 2, pp. 259-268, 2015. [pdf]

Mark Ison and Panagiotis Artemiadis, “The Role of Muscle Synergies in Myoelectric Control: Trends and Challenges for Simultaneous Multifunction Control,” Journal of Neural Engineering, vol. 11(5), 2014. [pdf]