With microelectronics and faster and more capable processors, a lot is possible within the realm of small yet fascinating products. The wearable technology is limited to smartwatches with health sensors of all kinds. But, wearables are also getting beyond and introduced into military, transport, and entertainment. Why is this important? It will shape the future of how humans will interact with their environment, and much more.
Muscle Control Technology
With a great marketing campaign, the company Flexr has introduced this new innovates wearable. The company behind this is Healer Tech with the product is currently listed on ?Kickstarter?. You can pre-order it here (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1492366788/flexr-control-technology-with-your-muscles) and also get to learn more about it. Basically, in the race of making humanoids, this puts computers on your body.
This aims to remove handheld controllers and tries to interact directly with your smartphone, for example. What is better than your body? The current technology relies on using archaic and obsolete keyboards and mouse, and even touch. To realize the full degree of freedom, Flex allows you to exercise while playing games on your phone, together. The control will be done with the muscle movement, instead.
The Device itself
So, Flexr is a palm-sized device much like your strap-on MP3 player. It will connect to your smartphone and is able to send signals. Now, there is a pair of wires that attach to your body or muscles. When you contract your muscles, it will send a signal to do things like move your character in the app, fly forward, run and jump, and so on. This takes the medical science to a fun way of introducing to the public.
It is easily reusable. If you go now on Kickstarter, you can pledge to start from $5 to a good amount with $379 where you get a good set of 4 Flex, 8 packs of reusable electrodes and 4 ?RhabFit? apps. These are great for patients with movement disabilities. Getting something so affordable was never possible before, and with small instruments, it doesn’t feel like a burden anymore.
Motivation
The motivation comes from medical professionals who have utilized muscle movements to read and transform them into triggers. This is used for patients who cannot use their limbs or fingers, for example, to interact with the world. In the case of ALS patients, it allows them to become more independent, and do a lot of stuff with the part of their body that is functional, with the movement of muscles; they can do a lot of actions, such as controlling your smartphone.
Pros
- The device can detect even the slightest movement of muscles and can trigger actions associated with them.
- With Flex, your body becomes the controller.
- It applies to all the muscles in your body.
Cons
It is a great device as it can do a lot, with high sensitivity.
Conclusion
It may not be the ideal replacement, but with regular use, ALS and other rehab patients can really begin to appreciate the product.