Abstract
In this study, in order to improve the operability of a myoelectric prosthetic hand, a sensory feedback device, which is attached on an upper arm of operator by a belt, was developed. First, contact force is detected by two pressure-sensitive sensors installed on a finger cushion of the myoelectric prosthetic hand. Then, when the finger of the myoelectric prosthetic hand holds a subject, the belt of the device is wound by a motor and tightens operator's upper arm. Thus, the operator gets the sensory feedback. By changing the speed which winds the belt, the operator can feel three kinds of hardness for objects, which are hard, intermediate and soft. The distinction experiment of hardness and the holding experiment of potato chips were carried out, and the validity of the proposed sensory feedback device was verified.
