Work / CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY / 01 — INTERNAL R&D · FUNCTIONAL DEMONSTRATOR

BCI / EMG Controlled Bionic Arm

An experimental robotic arm that explores how biosignals such as EMG can be acquired, processed and turned into controlled movement. A functional demonstrator that sits firmly in the research category.

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FIG. 01 — system overview (illustrative sheet)
FIG. 01 — system overview (illustrative sheet)
SYSTEMS LAB / INTERACTIVE MODEL

Explore the system
layer by layer.

Conceptual engineering visualisation.

Mechanical assembly Electronics & control Signal / data path
ROTATE / DRAGSCROLL / DECOMPOSE● LIVE MODEL
MODEL TYPE / HUMAN–MACHINE INTERFACE

This is an interactive conceptual model that explains the architecture. It is not a photograph or a dimensionally accurate CAD model of the physical build.

01 / THE PROBLEM

What were we trying to solve?

Assistive technology only helps when control, mechanics and the user's intent line up. Building even a demonstrator means coordinating signal acquisition, processing, embedded control, actuation and a mechanical structure that can be printed and iterated.

02 / THE APPROACH

Architecture before components.

We split the system into a signal chain and a motion chain. The signal chain acquires and filters biosignals, extracts a control envelope and maps it to a command. The motion chain turns commands into joint movement using embedded control and servo or motor drives, inside a 3D-printed structure we can revise quickly.

03 / THE BUILD

Where the engineering became physical.

The hard parts sit at the boundaries: electrode placement and noise, mapping a noisy signal to a stable grip command, and packaging electronics inside a limb-sized structure. Each of these was iterated on the bench.

Architecture sheet
FIG. 01B — architecture view (illustrative sheet)
04 / VALIDATION

Did it actually work?

A functional demonstration has been built. USCO is awaiting approval for test trials and full deployment. The arm is not described as a clinically validated prosthesis or an approved medical product, and quantified performance figures are not claimed until test data is documented.

05 / WHAT NEXT

The honest next step.

Approval for supervised test trials, documented signal-to-grip performance, and user-centred refinement of the mechanics.

BUILD SOMETHING DIFFICULT

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