Human augmentation by wearable supernumerary robotic limbs: review and perspectives

Prattichizzo, Domenico; Pozzi, María; Baldi, Tommaso Lisini; Malvezzi, Monica; Hussain, Irfan; Rossi, Símone; Salvietti, Gionata

doi:10.1088/2516-1091/ac2294

Cited by 54 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 118 publications

(294 reference statements)

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“…Maturing augmented body-Research on augmenting human bodies with machines is flourishing, and it is becoming possible to augment an actual body with, for example, a third arm, a sixth hand finger, and a tail [48]. The use of such body augmentation technologies requires employees to have different cognitive abilities than in conventional work.…”

Section: Beyond Reality × Mastery Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Augmentation Technologies for Employee Well-Being: A Research and Development Agenda

Otsuki

Kishita

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the style of work. In adapting to the changing work environment, human augmentation technologies (HAT) can provide employees with new options to support their work. However, the agenda for research and development of HAT for the new normal is still unclear. In this study, we set two research questions: (i) what type of technology demand has emerged among employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (ii) what is the nature of job satisfaction experienced by employees during the COVID-19 pandemic? This study aims to clarify the technology demand and job satisfaction of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed data from in-depth interviews with employees based on a grounded theory approach to answer the research questions and proposed an agenda for the research and development of HAT to enhance employees’ wellbeing in this new normal based on the crosspoint of technology demand and job satisfaction. The theoretical contribution of this study is the development of models of technology demand and job satisfaction of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The practical contribution is the development of a crosspoint framework to enable the development of HAT to support work while considering their impact on employees’ wellbeing.

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Section: Beyond Reality × Mastery Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Augmentation Technologies for Employee Well-Being: A Research and Development Agenda

Otsuki

Kishita

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…A fascinating possibility is to increase our abilities even more by providing extra limbs to be worn and controlled by the users in addition to and simultaneously with the natural limbs. In the recent past, extra robotic limbs have moved from the purely fictional world to becoming exciting tools providing additional degrees of freedom for augmentation and restoration in able-bodied and clinical populations (2)(3)(4). Various prototypes characterized by different mechanical designs, actuation systems, and features have been proposed, with most robotic devices consisting of one or two arms or fingers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human motor augmentation with an extra robotic arm without functional interference

Dominijanni,

Pinheiro,

Pollina

et al. 2023

Sci. Robot.

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Extra robotic arms (XRAs) are gaining interest in neuroscience and robotics, offering potential tools for daily activities. However, this compelling opportunity poses new challenges for sensorimotor control strategies and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). A key unsolved challenge is allowing users to proficiently control XRAs without hindering their existing functions. To address this, we propose a pipeline to identify suitable HMIs given a defined task to accomplish with the XRA. Following such a scheme, we assessed a multimodal motor HMI based on gaze detection and diaphragmatic respiration in a purposely designed modular neurorobotic platform integrating virtual reality and a bilateral upper limb exoskeleton. Our results show that the proposed HMI does not interfere with speaking or visual exploration and that it can be used to control an extra virtual arm independently from the biological ones or in coordination with them. Participants showed significant improvements in performance with daily training and retention of learning, with no further improvements when artificial haptic feedback was provided. As a final proof of concept, naïve and experienced participants used a simplified version of the HMI to control a wearable XRA. Our analysis indicates how the presented HMI can be effectively used to control XRAs. The observation that experienced users achieved a success rate 22.2% higher than that of naïve users, combined with the result that naïve users showed average success rates of 74% when they first engaged with the system, endorses the viability of both the virtual reality–based testing and training and the proposed pipeline.

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“…These devices include but does not limit to prosthesis [1], supernumerary limbs [2] or handheld robotic tools [3]. Despite mechanical advances over the last decades, embedding these robotic devices on the human body remains critical as their weight [4], [5], cumbersomeness and limited functionalities [6] restrain their comfort and acceptance [7], leading many potential users to prefer simple mechanical devices [8] or the use of their natural limbs [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtually turning robotic manipulators into worn devices: opening new horizons for wearable assistive robotics

Poignant¹,

Jarrassé²,

Morel³

2022

Preprint

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Robotic sensorimotor extensions (supernumerary limbs, prosthesis, handheld tools) are worn devices used to interact with the nearby environment, whether to assist the capabilities of impaired users or to enhance the dexterity of industrial operators. Despite numerous mechanical achievements, embedding these robotics devices remains critical due to their weight and discomfort. To emancipate from these mechanical constraints, we propose a new hybrid system using a virtually worn robotic arm in augmented-reality, and a real robotic manipulator servoed on such virtual representation. We aim at bringing an illusion of wearing a robotic system while its weight is fully deported, thinking that this approach could open new horizons for the study of wearable robotics without any intrinsic impairment of the human movement abilities.A video showing the set-ups and some of their applications can be found on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/EgwzT784Fws, and we will be referring to it throughout the paper.

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Human augmentation by wearable supernumerary robotic limbs: review and perspectives

Abstract: Human augmentation by wearable supernumerary robotic limbs: review and perspectivesTo cite this article: Domenico Prattichizzo et al 2021 Prog. Biomed. Eng. 3 042005 View the article online for updates and enhancements.

Cited by 54 publications

References 118 publications

Human Augmentation Technologies for Employee Well-Being: A Research and Development Agenda

Human Augmentation Technologies for Employee Well-Being: A Research and Development Agenda

Human motor augmentation with an extra robotic arm without functional interference

Virtually turning robotic manipulators into worn devices: opening new horizons for wearable assistive robotics

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