We are used to thinking of the use of surface electromyography as a specialized field limited to the diagnosis of alterations in muscle electrical activity, or the control of prostheses for amputated limbs.
However, technology is expanding like wildfire at unpredictable speeds!
New Apple patent registered
In some of our homes, we already have centralized controls and voice assistants to help us lower the blinds, turn off the lights, turn on the music, and this is already a big achievement for our comfort (and, let’s be honest, our laziness to get up from the couch!).
But what if we could do the same things with a single hand motion, with a snap of our fingers, or with an OK gesture of our thumb?
This is what the giant Apple is probably working on with a new patent!
Smart-watches and sEMG
In the future, Apple could release tiny arm bands with embedded micro-electrodes to detect user wrist gestures and electromyography signals.
What are the possible developments of these devices, this is still uncertain. Anything is possible when dealing with Apple. The license reports that: “A user’s mobile device may not always be readily accessible, as he may be walking, driving, carrying something, or be involved in other activity that can make it inconvenient or impossible for the user to reach the device”.
What is certain is that the field of electromyography is gaining popularity, and we will see new developments in the coming years. Who knows, there may be positive implications to be transferred to the field of rehabilitation for patients to benefit from.
Bioengineers, keep your eyes open to the future!
