A breakthrough in rehabilitation technology offering new hope for those who have lost a limb
Imagine for a moment losing the ability to perform everyday gestures: holding a cup of coffee, opening a door, or caressing a loved one. Science has technological advances that surprise because through them countless problems are solved: medical, scientific, technical, among others. The replacement of limbs, both in humans and animals, has been a reality for many years 1 .
From the first prototypes in the 1960s to the present day, development in biomechanics has accelerated, allowing people with prostheses to live fully normal lives 1 .
Today we explore how a robotic forearm is designed, built, and controlled—a feat of engineering that combines mechanical principles, intelligent programming, and innovative materials to restore lost functionality.
The magic of a modern robotic prosthesis begins with its ability to interpret the user's intentions.
The central nervous system of these prostheses is typically based on open-source platforms.
The revolution in robotic prostheses would not be possible without advances in materials science.
A project developed at the State Technical University of Quevedo perfectly illustrates the comprehensive process of creating a robotic forearm. The procedure, meticulously planned, follows these stages:
Using SOLIDWORKS 2017 software, researchers designed each component of the forearm, optimizing the pieces for mechanical functionality and ergonomics 1 .
Designs were exported to STL format and validated using 3D WOX SINDOH software, ensuring they were printable and functional 1 .
The pieces were materialized through 3D printing using ABS polymer as raw material, creating a light but resistant structure 1 .
The prototype incorporated servomotors to provide movement, flex sensors to capture movement intentions, and NRF24L01 modules to allow wireless communication 1 .
Specialized code was implemented on Arduino UNO boards to coordinate all components, interpret sensor signals, and control forearm movements in a technical and precise manner 1 .
| Component | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Arduino UNO Board | Central processing |
| Flex Sensors | Motion detection |
| NRF24L01 Modules | Wireless communication |
| Servomotors | Joint actuation |
| Category | Specific Product |
|---|---|
| CAD Software | SOLIDWORKS 2017 |
| 3D Printing Software | WOX SINDOH |
| Printing Material | ABS Polymer |
| File Format | STL |
The implementation of this experimental protocol produced a functional robotic forearm prototype with wireless movement capability. The results demonstrated that the combination of accessible technologies (Arduino, 3D printing) with solid biomechanical principles can produce effective assistive devices.
The success of the project transcended the technical, positioning itself as an innovative pedagogical tool for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, generating a close link between theory and practice in the teaching of robotics 1 .
Each robotic prosthesis project requires a specific set of components that work in harmony. These are the fundamental elements that make these devices possible:
Function: Act as the brain of the system, processing inputs and coordinating outputs.
Application: Interpret sensor signals and send commands to servomotors 1 .
Function: Capture the user's movement intention through physiological signals or physical changes.
Application: Translate muscle contractions or flexions into electronic signals understandable by the microcontroller 1 .
Function: Convert electrical signals into precise physical movement.
Application: Actuate the fingers and joints of the prosthesis to allow gripping and manipulation movements 1 .
Function: Provides the light but resistant physical structure of the prototype.
Application: Constitutes the external skeleton of the prosthesis, customizable for each user 1 .
The development of robotic forearm prototypes represents much more than an academic exercise: it is a crucial step towards the democratization of assistive robotics. Projects like BROCA, the first robotic surgical platform in the framework of Pre-Commercial Public Procurement in Spain, seek precisely to make these technologies accessible 2 .
The most exciting frontier lies in the integration of artificial intelligence with medical robotics. Exoskeletons combined with AI are useful for preventing musculoskeletal conditions in industry, with prototypes that can predict the user's intention to anticipate movement and assist only when the human so desires 5 .
While technology continues to advance, the dream of restoring not only functionality but also the sensation of lost limbs seems increasingly achievable. Researchers are already working on tactile sensing systems for prostheses or robotic hands , bringing us closer to a future where the difference between biological and artificial will be, happily, increasingly blurred.