There are over 1.6 million Americans who are missing limbs; and estimated to double by 2050. There are many problems with current prosthetic devices for the upper body. According to a 2011 study, a staggering 70% of users believed they were limited with what types of activities they were able to perform; more than 60% felt that they were restricted by their prosthetic with how much work they could complete. Our project aims to rectify some of the problems encountered with current technology. The goal of our project is to increase the usability of a prosthetic device and increase the capabilities of the prostheses. Our hand and forearm will be able to adjust the forces applied to an object, and be self-aware in regards to its spatial orientation and distance from an object.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Sullivan, Kathleen Mary
• Merlin, Max T

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042816-153659

Advisor

• Onal, Cagdas

Year

• 2016

Date created

• 2016-04-28

Location

• Boston

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering
• Robotics Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright