Getting a firmer grip

Fingertip sensor technology is being used to develop a new type of prosthetic hand, claimed to be capable of accurately mimicking human movement and measuring grip force.

It is part of a three-year research project into intelligent sensor systems (ISS) being carried out at

by Prof Neil White, whose team is also working on intelligent keypads for possible security uses in automated teller machines (ATMs).

ISS is regularly used in industry and military applications, but

plans to take the technology into new areas.

The researchers aim to apply the technology to an existing prosthetic hand, called the Southampton-Remedi, in a bid to overcome some of the drawbacks with the present design.

'Some of the problems may seem trivial. for example, we have many sensors that use a lot of cabling to power and retrieve signals, which disrupts the mechanics of movement,' said White.

Light and flexible

The fingertip sensors will process information locally, minimising the amount of information transmitted to a controller and reducing the device's cabling and power usage. This will make the hand lighter and more flexible. It will also be capable of operating for longer than the six-hour battery time of most prosthetic controllers.