Controlling an Assistive Robotic Manipulator via a Non-linear Body-Machine Interface

Marco Giordano, Fabio Rizzoglio*, G. Ballardini, Ferdinando A. Mussa-Ivaldi, M. Casadio

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Controlling an assistive robotic manipulator can play a crucial role in improving lives of individuals with motor impairments. Here, we propose the use of state-of-the-art machine learning techniques for dimensionality reduction—non-linear autoencoder (AE) networks—within a Body-Machine Interface (BoMI) framework for controlling a 4D virtual manipulator. Compared to their linear counterparts, non-linear AEs allow retaining more of the original variance and spreading it more uniformly along the latent dimensions. This advantage has the potential to facilitate an effective control of devices with multiple degrees of freedom (DoFs). We tested the approach on a cohort of unimpaired participants practicing a reaching task in 3D space. As a result, all participants were able to reach a high level of control skills after training with the interface. Such findings highlight the potential of BoMIs based on non-linear AEs as a control platform for assistive manipulators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBiosystems and Biorobotics
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages685-689
Number of pages5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Publication series

NameBiosystems and Biorobotics
Volume28
ISSN (Print)2195-3562
ISSN (Electronic)2195-3570

Keywords

  • Autoencoders
  • Body Machine interface
  • Robot manipulator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence

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