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A model of force and impedance in human arm movements

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Abstract.

This paper describes a simple computational model of joint torque and impedance in human arm movements that can be used to simulate three-dimensional movements of the (redundant) arm or leg and to design the control of robots and human-machine interfaces. This model, based on recent physiological findings, assumes that (1) the central nervous system learns the force and impedance to perform a task successfully in a given stable or unstable dynamic environment and (2) stiffness is linearly related to the magnitude of the joint torque and increased to compensate for environment instability. Comparison with existing data shows that this simple model is able to predict impedance geometry well.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University, of Singapore

    K. P. Tee, E. Burdet & C. M. Chew

  2. Division of Bioengineering, National University, of Singapore

    E. Burdet

  3. School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Canada

    T. E. Milner

Authors
  1. K. P. Tee
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  2. E. Burdet
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  3. C. M. Chew
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  4. T. E. Milner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Burdet.

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Tee, K., Burdet, E., Chew, C. et al. A model of force and impedance in human arm movements. Biol. Cybern. 90, 368–375 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-004-0484-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-004-0484-4

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