Pioneering Bristol Project to Restore Natural Sense of Touch in Prosthetic Arms

The UK government has committed to funding 100 pioneering research projects through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Among these, a study at the University of Bristol, spearheaded by Dr Ben Ward-Cherrier, aims to transform the lives of upper-limb amputees by incorporating natural touch sensations into prosthetic devices.

While modern prosthetic arms have made remarkable advancements in functionality and control, they cannot still provide sensory feedback to the user. This limitation hinders the user’s ability to interact with their environment naturally, as they cannot feel the texture, slipperiness, or pressure of the objects they touch.

This lack of sensory input can lead to difficulties in performing everyday tasks and a reduced quality of life for the nearly two million upper-limb amputees worldwide.

Dr. Ward-Cherrier’s project at the University of Bristol addresses this critical issue by developing a proof-of-concept system that connects tactile sensors to individual sensory neurons. By decoding the tactile signals in the nervous system, the research team aims to create tailored neuro-signals that can be integrated into prosthetic arms, providing users with a natural sense of touch. The project will involve a collaboration between Dr Ward-Cherrier, clinicians, and experts in microstimulation at the University of Aix-Marseille. This multidisciplinary approach will be crucial in understanding how tactile signals are encoded in the nervous system and translating that knowledge into practical applications for prosthetic arms.

If successful, this project could be a first step to revolutionize the field of prosthetics, significantly improving the quality of life for upper-limb amputees. By restoring a natural sense of touch, users can interact with their environment more intuitively, increasing confidence and independence in their daily activities. The insights gained from this research could have far-reaching implications beyond prosthetics. Understanding how tactile signals are encoded in the nervous system could lead to advancements in robotics and teleoperation, enabling the development of more sophisticated and responsive systems.

In addition to the Bristol project, the EPSRC funding will support a wide range of initiatives across healthcare, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. These projects span many disciplines, including mathematics, computer science, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Other interesting projects include: – A radar-based system for translating British Sign Language at the University of Southampton – Research into countering quantum attacks on messaging platforms at King’s College London – Development of smart polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery and medical imaging at Loughborough University – An investigation into the effects of hip muscles on knee pain at Imperial College London.

The £80 million investment by the UK government in these projects demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting curiosity-driven research and fostering innovation across various scientific and engineering disciplines.