Artificial Neural Networks for classification of EMG data in hand myoelectric control

This thesis studies the state-of-the-art in myoelectric control of active hand prostheses for people with trans-radial amputation using pattern recognition and machine learning techniques. Our work is supported by Centro Protesi INAIL in Vigorso di Budrio (BO). We studied the control system developed by INAIL consisting in acquiring EMG signals from amputee subjects and using pattern recognition methods for the classifcation of acquired signals, associating them with specifc gestures and consequently commanding the prosthesis. Our work consisted in improving classifcation methods used in the learning phase. In particular, we proposed a classifer based on a neural network as a valid alternative to the INAIL one-versus-all approach to multiclass classifcation.