FlexSEA: Flexible, Scalable Electronics Architecture for Prosthetic and Robotic Applications

This project aims to enable fast prototyping of a multi-axis and multi-joint active prosthesis by developing a new modular electronics system. This system provides the required hardware and software to do precise motion control, data acquisition, and networking. Scalability is obtained by the use of a fast industrial communication protocol between the modules, and by a standardization of the peripherals’ interfaces: it is possible to add functionalities to the system simply by plugging additional cards. Hardware and software encapsulation is used to provide high-performance, real-time control of the actuators while keeping the high-level algorithmic development and prototyping simple, fast, and easy.