DEVALHAND project

The development of prosthetic hands is characterized by serious technical difficulties, from design, through the sensorisation, to even control and performance, leading to final products with a high cost. In addition there are no clear methodologies that allow to evaluate the manipulative capability of a specific artificial hand.

This project has a double purpose. Firstly, developing metrics and methodologies that allow to evaluate the capabilities of a specific design, and optimize it. And secondly, using this methodology, to develop new designs of low-cost prosthetics, actuators and controllers.

The starting hypothesis of the project, is that the intensive use of simulation tools will improve the design, evaluation, and control of anthropomorphic hands, as a step previous to developing physical prototypes. In addition, the further use of rapid prototyping techniques will allow reducing costs.

The main goals of the project are three:

1. To analyze different designs of anthropomorphic hands and obtain optimal metrics that allow to evaluate its capability to emulate human hand grip modes common in activities of daily living.
2. To propose anthropomorphic hand designs, including their electromechanical actuation systems, which allow to optimize the defined indicators of quality and reduce the cost of design and manufacturing. This will be achieved by using rapid prototyping techniques and commercial elements. A functional prototype will be obtained for initial evaluation.
3. To analyze different control strategies of transradial prosthetic hands and to propose innovative low cost and minimally invasive control methods. This will allow to reduce the requirements for the patient both in the training and using phases, while improving, if possible, the manipulability.