Robotic Third Arm Controlled by Diaphragm Developed by EPFL Neuroengineers

The wearable robotic arm, part of the Third-Arm project, does not interfere with natural abilities and has potential applications in daily tasks and search and rescue operations.

• Neuroengineers at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed and tested a robotic third arm controlled by the diaphragm.
• The third arm is controlled using a belt that measures diaphragm movement, which does not interfere with actions like controlling one's physiological arms, one's speech or gaze.
• The study is part of the Third-Arm project, which aims to provide a wearable robotic arm to assist in daily tasks or to help in search and rescue.
• The researchers have also explored controlling arms via vestigial ear muscles, which could either replace the use of diaphragm control or supplement it.
• The team plans to build off of their research to see how a potential third robotic arm might work in different environments and real-world use cases.

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