Tessel-GPIO-EMG

Example code for the EMG module for Tessel's GPIO port [schematic].

This code is intended for use with Tessel's GPIO port and the provided schematic, wired to electrodes on the bicep.

Files in this repo

index.js a library you can use for EMG. See APIexamples.js for examples of all of the available functions.

APIexamples.js examples of every available API call from index.js.

test.js prints the output from channels 1 and 2 of the GPIO module. Very simple, does not use API– just lets you see if the hardware is working.

strength-meter.js turns a servo in proportion to the output from channel 2. Kind of messy, pre-API.

What is EMG?

EMG is ElectroMyoGraphy: measuring muscle impulses. You slap some electrodes on a muscle and measure the voltage differential. The voltage differential looks different if you're actively flexing than if your muscle is relaxed. So in the strength-meter example, the difference between a relaxed muscle and a flexed one is scaled to the range of a servo– so the servo acts as a dial for how hard you're flexing.

How do you hook up the electrodes?

You need three electrodes:

• One electrode, Vref, goes somewhere near the muscle you're measuring, but not on a muscle– so if you're measuring your bicep, you can put it on the back of your elbow.
• One electrode goes in the center of your muscle. Flex to see your muscle and stick it right in the middle.
• One electrode goes on the end of the muscle– so for your bicep, just above the inside of your elbow.

What does this look like?

There's a demo in here:

Or just enjoy these: