Academic Journal
Fatigue-adaptive EMG interface for real-time asynchronous wheelchair navigation.
| Title: | Fatigue-adaptive EMG interface for real-time asynchronous wheelchair navigation. |
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| Authors: | S P; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., M S; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., S P; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., K M; Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bangalore, Karnataka, India. |
| Source: | Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology [Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol] 2026 May; Vol. 21 (4), pp. 1484-1502. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 01. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101255937 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1748-3115 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17483107 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: London : Informa Healthcare Original Publication: Abingdon, Oxford, UK : Taylor & Francis, c2006- |
| MeSH Terms: | Electromyography*/instrumentation , Electromyography*/methods , Muscle Fatigue*/physiology , Persons with Disabilities*/rehabilitation , Wheelchairs* , User-Computer Interface*, Spinal Cord Injuries/rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Equipment Design |
| Abstract: | Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), neuromuscular disorders, or stroke-related impairments often face difficulties in operating powered wheelchairs with conventional control interfaces. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a lightweight surface electromyography (sEMG)-based system that enables intuitive and reliable wheelchair navigation using residual neck and shoulder muscle activity. The system employed three electrodes positioned over the right and left trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. Signals were processed in real-time using an ESP32 microcontroller, eliminating the need for external hardware. A single feature-standard deviation (SD) of the sEMG signal-was extracted from 3-second windows to detect commands. A dynamic thresholding mechanism was implemented to compensate for muscle fatigue without increasing computational demand. Five wheelchair navigation commands were classified. Experimental validation was conducted with 20 participants, including 10 participants with disabilities (PwDs) and 10 healthy controls. Healthy participants achieved 100% accuracy, with an average response time of 3.14 s and an information transfer rate (ITR) of 44.40 bits/min. PwDs achieved 96.75% accuracy, an average response time of 3.20 s, and an ITR of 38.59 bits/min. All participants reported the system to be safe, comfortable, and easy to use. The proposed sEMG-based wheelchair control system provides a practical, real-time, and cost-effective solution for individuals with limited upper- and lower-limb mobility. Its minimal setup, low computational complexity, and adaptive fatigue compensation make it suitable for daily use, offering an accessible alternative to conventional wheelchair control methods. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Human-machine interface (HMI); adaptive thresholding; electromyography (EMG); muscle fatigue; real-time wheelchair control; shoulder and neck movements Local Abstract: [plain-language-summary] The proposed low-cost, real-time EMG-based system allows individuals with limited upper limb function to control powered wheelchairs using preserved neck and shoulder muscles, offering an intuitive and non-invasive rehabilitation aid.It promotes active muscle use and automatically adapts to fatigue, helping maintain muscle tone and ensure consistent performance during extended operation.Its lightweight, portable design with minimal setup and training requirements makes it suitable for both home-based and clinical rehabilitation settings.By restoring independent mobility, the system enhances user confidence, psychological well-being, and complements existing rehabilitation programs. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251201 Date Completed: 20260627 Latest Revision: 20260806 |
| Update Code: | 20260806 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17483107.2025.2592122 |
| PMID: | 41324492 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1748-3115 |
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| DOI: | 10.1080/17483107.2025.2592122 |