An electromagnetic exoskeleton for your hands, powered by Arduino

Each unit, designed to fit an individual finger, incorporates an electromagnet above the finger, a permanent magnet below, and a flexible joint between them. This configuration allows the exoskeleton to modulate the finger's motion through magnetic fields rather than direct mechanical or electrical stimulation.

In the ‘pulling’ state, the electromagnet creates resistance when the finger moves downward, effectively strengthening the grip. Conversely, in the ‘pushing’ state, the electromagnet forces the finger upward, providing resistance when it moves back down. When the electromagnet is powered off, the finger can move freely without resistance.

Control of each hand-worn unit is managed by an Arduino Nano 33 BLE, with power supplied by several MDD10A driver boards at 25V. To showcase the functionality of Magnus, the research team developed two mobile applications. The first, a drumming game, demonstrated how the push mode could enhance reflexes, allowing for faster response times. The second, a first-person shooter game, illustrated how the resistance applied to the index finger could simulate the sensation of pulling a trigger.

Image credit: J. Nishida et al.

For those interested in further details, the research team has published their findings in a comprehensive paper.