Soft Robotics Enables Neuroprosthetic Hand Design

Development and implementation of neuroprosthetic handsis a multidisciplinaryfield at the interface between humans and artificial robotic systems,which aims at replacing the sensorimotor function of the upper-limbamputees as their own. Although prosthetic hand devices with myoelectriccontrol can be dated back to more than 70 years ago, their applicationswith anthropomorphic robotic mechanisms and sensory feedback functionsare still at a relatively preliminary and laboratory stage. Nevertheless,a recent series of proof-of-concept studies suggest that soft roboticstechnology may be promising and useful in alleviating the design complexityof the dexterous mechanism and integration difficulty of multifunctionalartificial skins, in particular, in the context of personalized applications.Here, we review the evolution of neuroprosthetic hands with the emergingand cutting-edge soft robotics, covering the soft and anthropomorphicprosthetic hand design and relating bidirectional neural interactionswith myoelectric control and sensory feedback. We further discussfuture opportunities on revolutionized mechanisms, high-performancesoft sensors, and compliant neural-interaction interfaces for thenext generation of neuroprosthetic hands.