Prosthetic devices provide an opportunity to optimise functional independence and improve psychological well-being of people with missing limbs. This project will focus on developing a sensory feedback system for upper-limb prostheses (artificial limbs), with a long-term goal of building an in-house prosthetic hand capable of competing in the Cybathlon.
This is a global competition where people with disabilities use advanced assistive technologies to complete everyday tasks. The project will begin by designing and integrating modular sensory feedback add-ons to existing artificial limbs for upper limb amputees, progressing over time toward creating a full prosthetic solution that is intuitive, comfortable, and reliable. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to design hardware and software components, collect user’s needs and suggestions, test prototypes with prosthetic users, and iterate designs based on feedback.
The project aims to;
Develop modular sensory feedback systems that can be attached to current existing prostheses.
Learn what users/amputees need and evaluate user-cantered requirements for intuitive, effective prosthetic feedback. Progress toward the design of a custom upper-limb prosthesis that includes advanced control and feedback systems.
The project will combine electronics, mechanical design, software development, and human-cantered research, including qualitative research and human tests. Students will prototype modular sensory feedback systems using microcontrollers, force sensors, and actuators like vibration motors, enabling wireless, real-time feedback for prosthesis users. Mechanical design will focus on creating ergonomic, durable mounts using 3D printing and lightweight materials suited for integration with various prosthetic limbs. A mobile app and web dashboard will be developed to allow users to calibrate feedback settings, monitor device performance, and submit feedback remotely. Health and Psychology students will work alongside engineers to study user experience, focusing on trust, embodiment, and psychological well-being through interviews, surveys, and observational studies. Semi structured interviews will be used together with focus groups including users, and clinicians, to capture what are the need of the patients. Video analysis/ motion analysis and other biomechanics related techniques could be applied to measure the prototype performance on real participants/ users.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDGs: 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, 10 Reduced inequalities.
Academic Director
Elena Seminati, Department for Health Leen Jabban, Department of Electrical Engineering
Who can apply?
This VIP welcomes applications from all University of Bath students.
Applications for Semester 1 AY2526 will open in June 2025.
Project Update
This is a new project for AY2526