Track: Mechatronics

Abstract

In this work we demonstrate a hand-gesture controlled mobile robot with omni-directional movement capability. Hand gesture control is achieved using a Myo armband.  When compared to a hand-held control device, hand-gesture control has the advantage of full robot observability rather than having the operator mainly focusing on the remote control device. Myo armband control has the primary advantage of low-cost and significantly less computing algorithms when compared to a vision-based gesture control. In this work, the hand gesture is recognized using an arm wearable device, which has EMG sensors that measure the electrical signals from muscles in the arm. Based on the contraction and rest movements of the muscles, the signals are used to control the locomotion of the mobile robot.