Development of MERCURY version 2.0 robotic arms for rehabilitation applications

Abstract

MERCURY is a robotic platform comprised of two mechatronic robotic arm manipulators, a body machine interface (BMI) in the form of a wearable hardware sensor sleeve and a brain computer interface (BCI). It is a prototype system primarily aimed at research in human-robotic interfaces, medical rehabilitation and assistive technologies for patients with Spinal Cord Injury. This paper discusses improvements implemented in the second generation of the system, following evaluation of results obtained from pilot testing the first generation robotic setup. The system now integrates two of the second generation MERCURY robotic arms. The main improvements are digitization of control signals, the addition of anthropomorphic hands in place of pincers, two additional degrees of freedom, improved telecommunications and BCI control.