Muscle synergies in neuroscience and robotics: from input-space to task-space perspectives

Muscle synergies in neuroscience and robotics: from input-space to task-space perspectives

In this paper we review the works related to muscle synergies that have been carried-out in neuroscience and control engineering. In particular, we refer to the hypothesis that the central nervous system (CNS) generates desired muscle contractions by combining a small number of predefined modules, called muscle synergies. We provide an overview of the methods that have been employed to test the...

From Space Robotics to Underwater Mining

Exploration of mineral resources on ocean floor calls for unmanned systems and machines controlled from the surface. Removing operators from the vicinity of worksites introduces many technical challenges: low situational awareness in unknown environments, complexity of operated machines, and the need for high bandwidth real-time communication. Precise maps of the worksites underwater do not exi...

Action Direction of Muscle Synergies in Three-Dimensional Force Space

Redundancy in the musculoskeletal system was supposed to be simplified by muscle synergies, which modularly organize muscles. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of motor control using muscle synergies, it is important to examine the spatiotemporal contribution of muscle synergies in the task space. In this study, we quantified the mechanical contribution of muscle synergies as considering spa...

Space Robotics

This report surveys the possible applications and technical feasibility of robots in space. The hture of the space program in the time frame of 1980-2000 is first assessed, including space exploration, globzl infomiation services, and space utilization. Critical technologies needed to wpport die projected space program are considered, including general purpose, remote intelligence and manipulat...

Space Robotics