<
https://theconversation.com/heres-what-happened-when-we-endowed-volunteers-with-a-sixth-finger-204439>
"Have you spotted what distinguishes this hand from those you see usually?
Count the number of fingers…
The hand has a robotic “sixth finger” which we developed with our collaborator,
Prof Yoichi Miyawaki of the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo.
Users can control this sixth digit independently of the others. In fact, we can
pinpoint, with an algorithm, muscle activity in the forearm which doesn’t
contribute to normal finger movement, and use this signal to control the robot
finger.
It’s also equipped with a haptic sensor (ie, concerned with the sense of
touching): this feels what a real finger would feel, and offers “haptic
feedback” – that is, light pressures applied on the palm of the hand, giving a
tactile sensation.
The user can move around this extra digit with a minimum of training – for many
people within less than an hour. One could put it to use by playing the piano!
What we have been studying is how, confronted with new digits, the body reacts.
This is also what happens when the body is challenged to accept a prosthesis,
for example."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
