Optimization of Neural Network Architecture for Biomechanic Classification Tasks with Electromyogram Inputs

Electromyogram signals (EMGs) contain valuable information that can be used in man-machine interfacing between human users and myoelectric prosthetic devices. However, EMG signals are complicated and prove difficult to analyze due to physiological noise and other issues. Computational intelligence and machine learning techniques, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), serve as powerful tools for analyzing EMG signals and creating optimal myoelectric control schemes for prostheses. This research examines the performance of four different neural network architectures (feedforward, recurrent, counter propagation, and self organizing map) that were tasked with classifying walking speed when given EMG inputs from 14 different leg muscles. Experiments conducted on the data set suggest that self organizing map neural networks are capable of classifying walking speed with greater than 99% accuracy.