Advancing Hand Rehabilitation: Designing a Motorized Exoskeleton for Middle Finger Control with SolidWorks and IoT Integration through Blynk

Jamaludin  Jalani; Ab Wafi  Ab Aziz; Muhammad Zulhilmi  Hussin; Mohamad Khairi  Ishak; Sujana Mohd  Rejab

Authors

Jamaludin Jalani Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Ab Wafi Ab Aziz Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Hab Pendidikan Tinggi Pagoh, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Muhammad Zulhilmi Hussin Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Hab Pendidikan Tinggi Pagoh, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Mohamad Khairi Ishak Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Information Technology, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Sujana Mohd Rejab MyVista, 34700 Simpang, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Keywords:

Robotic exoskeleton, ESP32 microcontroller, L298N motor driver, Blynk, motorized exoskeleton, middle finger control

Abstract

The paper addresses the need for advanced assistive rehabilitation technologies by developing a motorized exoskeleton finger controlled by an ESP32 microprocessor, L298N motor driver and N20 motor. The integration with the Blynk app for remote control enhances user experience and adaptability. The study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the prototype but also outlines future improvements such as adding sensors for feedback control and optimizing for user comfort. By exploring innovative sensor designs and integration techniques, developers can enhance the capabilities of the motorized exoskeleton and further advance assistive technologies for individuals with physical impairments. The prototype was tested using Blynk Web dashboard and Blynk IoT application for control, with two push buttons enabling manual control of the middle finger movements. In automatic mode, the system allows for controlling the distance and speed of the finger movement. The design process involved using Ultimaker CURA for 3D printing and SolidWorks for mechanical design, ensuring precise integration of hardware and software components. The mechanical design, created using SolidWorks, showcased intricate details such as the ring link for the middle finger, finger lock pin and panel joints for the finger motor. These results demonstrate the successful development and testing of the motorized exoskeleton prototype, highlighting its potential for enhancing assistive rehabilitation technologies for individuals with upper limb impairments.