**Author details**

Computational Intelligence in Electromyography Analysis – 446 A Perspective on Current Applications and Future Challenges

means to tackle disabilities and amputations effectively.

**Table 1.** EMG signals observed and the threshold in terms of voltage [17]

machine will qualify to be used in everyday practical life [26].

**7. Future challenges and directions** 

be made a part of the procedure.

**S. No. Finger/ Hand** 

When a human uses a robot, he desires to use his natural limb movements to control the mechanism. In order to achieve this, EMG provides the perfect assistance to allow a subject to make normal movements using a robotic apparatus, hence, efficient controllers and improved algorithms are essential for enhanced control of the device. Given the fact that EMG was introduced more than 30 years ago, the research community has a come a long way in coming up with innovative techniques, hardware solutions and advanced procedures to design, control and utilize these signals to produce resourceful prosthetic

> **Peak Voltage Reading after Contracting (V)**

**Threshold Set (V)** 

**Peak Voltage Reading before Contracting (V)** 

1 Thumb (flexing) 0.8 3.7 1.4 2 Index (flexing) 0.6 1.4 0.8 3 Ring (flexing) 0.2 2.5 0.7 4 Pinkie (flexing) 0.2 1 0.5 5 Hand (flexing) 0.2 5 1 6 Hand (extending) 0.15 4.5 0.8

Scientists working on upper limb prosthesis define their goal in this field as to develop a 'simultaneous, independent, and proportional control of multiple degrees of freedom with acceptable performance and near "normal" control complexity and response time' [25]. The major challenges faced in prosthetics are: electromechanical implementation, use of EMG control signals and the interface between robotic and clinical communities [26]. Designing a robotic mechanism which is fully capable of integrating with human neuromuscular system is a tough proposition. The requirements can only be fulfilled if the apparatus is of light and flexible material with small but powerful actuators, size effective electronic components, sensors which can easily adapt with the skin and a long lasting battery life. Only then the

The human hand has 20 degrees of freedom, and the body works in a unique variety of ways to tackle various hindrances placed in front of it. It is therefore, a great challenge to extract all of these motions from the body and utilize them in a resourceful way. Nowadays, two degree of freedom mechanisms are most common. To achieve further DOFs, sensors

The most important challenge of robotic prosthesis in rehabilitation is the feasibility of the mechanism. The apparatus should be comfortable, silent and aesthetically viable for the subject [26]. Our target should be the effective use of the robotic artificial limb on the physically disabled, not to waste our efforts in fruitless objects. Hence, for the reliability of the mechanism's implementation on the amputated population, clinician's approval should

will be required to be placed at more sophisticated locations, which is a tough task.

Muhammad Zahak Jamal *National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan* 
