Young Technology Scholars

One of the most impactful experiences of my life was participating in the Young Technology Scholars summer program at Plaksha University in India. This program marked the beginning of an enduring journey of academic exploration, introducing me to the fascinating interdisciplinary realm of engineering and its boundless potential. During this program, I had the opportunity to innovate and create a remarkable bionic arm using origami, which responded to the signals generated by the movement of my wrist. When I closed my fist, the origami claw would gracefully close, and when I opened my fist, it would elegantly unfold.

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This project has immense significance in today's world. Losing an arm can profoundly impact a person's life, affecting their mobility, independence, and psychological well-being. However, bionic arms offer a promising solution by restoring crucial functions and enhancing mobility. These advanced prosthetics are meticulously designed to emulate the functionality of a natural arm, enabling users to grasp objects, manipulate tools, and seamlessly interact with their environment. By regaining these fundamental abilities, individuals can once again perform daily activities, actively participate in society, and enjoy an improved quality of life.

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In India alone, around 5 million people suffer from loco-motor disabilities that profoundly impact every aspect of their lives, including their ability to earn a living, maintain self-confidence, and preserve relationships. While prosthetic limbs are available, they can be expensive and often require surgical implants. Bionic arms, on the other hand, utilize simple signals derived from muscle movements and have the potential to revolutionize the lives of amputees worldwide, offering a low-cost alternative.

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The setup for my project was hard, but what was even more difficult was the coding and analyzing signals. I utilized a programmable microcontroller, the ESP 32, and connected input sensors and a servo motor to a breadboard. To capture input signals, I employed electromyography sensors, which detect electrical signals generated by muscle movement. I attached these sensors to my hand using wires, with two electrodes near my elbow and one on my wrist. I wrote code to read and process these analog signals, amplifying and filtering them, and then converting them into digital signals composed of 0s and 1s. This digital signal was subsequently sent to an output port and transmitted to a servo motor. The servo motor was linked to the bionic arm via a thread. In this prototype, the bionic arm was constructed using simple origami paper. Whenever I flexed my wrist, thereby generating an analog signal that was converted by the Arduino processor, the servo motor would move the origami bionic arm accordingly. In practice, upper hand muscle movements could control the motion of the lower arm.

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Although this model served as a mere prototype, the principles and concepts employed in this project can be applied to the development of prosthetic limbs—a field that continues to expand and advance each day. Bionic arms have already achieved significant advancements, yet there remains ample room for innovation and improvement in the future. Dedicated researchers and engineers constantly strive to enhance the capabilities of bionic arms by integrating cutting-edge technologies. This includes the development of more sophisticated sensors, actuators, and control systems, enabling finer motor control and more intuitive movements. Additionally, advancements in materials and design will contribute to the creation of lighter, more comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing prosthetic arms. Moreover, emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces hold tremendous potential for seamless integration between bionic arms and the user's nervous system, allowing for even more natural and intuitive control.

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In conclusion, the significance of bionic arms cannot be overstated, as they restore vital functions, enhance mobility, and contribute to the psychological well-being of individuals who have lost their natural arms. Continued innovation and improvement in bionic arm technology will further empower individuals, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives and participate in a wide range of activities with increased independence and confidence.