Project Description
EMusicPulse innovatively merges technology and art by utilizing electromyography (EMG) to play music through muscle signals. This project enhances accessibility in music for individuals with disabilities, offers therapeutic benefits for muscle control and coordination, and inspires educational engagement in STEM fields. It targets musicians, technology enthusiasts, researchers, and individuals with disabilities, demonstrating the creative potential of EMG technology and its ethical implications for inclusivity and empowerment.
Motivation
This project is carried out as an effort to help music enthusiasts and individuals passionate about creative expression, particularly those facing physical disabilities or challenges. We're inspired by people like Đặng Ngọc Duy, a blind teacher who loves music. Despite losing fingers in an accident, he plays the guitar with incredible skill. His story shows how technology can help anyone make music, no matter their physical challenges. EMusicPulse aims to make music accessible to everyone, just like Duy, by using special technology that turns muscle movements into music. The aim is to demonstrate that music can be a means of self-expression for anyone, facilitated by technology. Duy's story illustrates that with determination and the appropriate tools, anything can be achieved, and the intention is to disseminate that message globally through this project.
Figure 1. Đặng Ngọc Duy, a blind teacher and music enthusiast, skillfully playing the guitar with a three-fingered hand after an explosive accident.
Implementation
The implementation involves setting up Arduino components, processing EMG signals, and establishing a web display. The system uses an Arduino Uno to control the setup, EMG A10-09 sensors for signal acquisition, a potentiometer for mode switching, and a speaker for audio output. Electrodes are strategically placed on the wrist and biceps to enhance signal accuracy. The processed signals are then communicated between the Arduino and a host device, which handles multi-threading for sound effects and web display.
Results and discussion
The project successfully enables music creation and playback within an affordable price range. However, challenges such as signal delay and initial setup complexity were encountered. Signal imprecision and lag hinder accurate muscle activity interpretation, necessitating advanced signal processing and calibration. Additionally, integrating a WiFi module could streamline setup by eliminating the need for a host laptop. Future research should focus on addressing these issues to improve the system's usability and performance.
Applications
EMusicPulse has diverse applications spanning multiple fields. In music and the arts, it allows musicians, especially those with physical disabilities, to create and perform music through muscle signals, fostering greater inclusivity. In the healthcare and rehabilitation sector, it serves as a therapeutic tool for individuals recovering muscle control and coordination, aiding physical therapy through engaging and interactive means. For STEM education and research, the project offers a hands-on learning platform for students and hobbyists, integrating biology, electronics, and programming. Additionally, it provides researchers in biomedical engineering and neurology with practical applications of EMG technology, potentially leading to further innovations in assistive devices and therapeutic techniques.