Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new prosthetic limb that can be controlled by the user with two Myo armbands.
The Myo armband is essentially a gesture control device that enables users to control a number of different devices simply by detecting movement in their arms through things like muscle contractions. In this case, the user is able to control a Modular Prosthetic Limb, or MPL.
Using this new system, Johnny Matheny, who is an amputee, is a lot closer toward regaining full control of his lost arm.
Of course, Myo is used for a range of applications and can connect to a number of different devices. It can be used to control things like drones, smartphones and computers. The device works by detecting electrical pulses in the arm and converting them into data that can be fed into a computer. In this case, the data can be used to do things like make a fist, rotate the arm, open the hand and so on.
The Myo armband, which has been available for a while now, costs $200. It can be bought directly from the company that makes it, Thalmic Labs, as well as through a number of retailers.
You can check out the Myo arm band being used to control the Modular Prosthetic Limb in the video below.
Via: Slashgear
