Research Article | Open Access | Download PDF
Volume 74 | Issue 8 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJETT-V74I8P124 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I8P124EMG-Based HMI to Control a Robotic Car
Manoj Kumar Mukul, Nitish Kumar, Mukesh Kumar Ojha, Yogesh Pratap Singh, Rajkishore Prasad
| Received | Revised | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 2026 | 05 Jul 2026 | 15 Jul 2026 | 29 Aug 2026 |
Citation :
Manoj Kumar Mukul, Nitish Kumar, Mukesh Kumar Ojha, Yogesh Pratap Singh, Rajkishore Prasad, "EMG-Based HMI to Control a Robotic Car," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), vol. 74, no. 8, pp. 359-380, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I8P124
Abstract
A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is a user interface that allows people to control a machine, carry out a task, and receive feedback from the machine to adjust their control. This paper examines the use of Electromyogram (EMG) signals for machine control via wireless command transmission. The EMG signal includes various muscle responses. The challenge in processing the EMG signal comes from the transient muscle response, which has an unknown arrival time, duration, and shape. The EMG-based Human-Machine interface (HMI) has attracted much attention because it can convert muscle activity into usable control signals. This paper describes the design and implementation of a single-chip platform for an EMG-controlled system to achieve a small, effective and responsive control interface. The development of on-chip real-time processing for EMG-based HMI systems removes the need for an external computer or server. A complete embedded system has been created to control an external car using EMG signals. Different commands are also generated to manage the car's movements. This paper focuses on building a real-time embedded system to control the external car by analyzing hand muscle signals to create commands based on the envelope of both muscle signals. The proposed method for processing EMG signals in a real-time, low-cost system is part of the HMI system, and we discuss its future potential. With the new system, performance accuracy is over 90% in real time.
Keywords
HMI, EMG, Embedded system, Real-Time signal processing.
References
[1] Jordan Carver et al., “The Impact of Mobility Assistive Technology
Devices on Participation for Individuals with Disabilities,” Disability
and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 468-477,
2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] D.V.D.S. Welihinda et al., “EEG and EMG-based Human-Machine Interface
for Navigation of Mobility-Related Assistive Wheelchair (MRA-W),” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] David Scherb, Sandro Wartzack, and Jörg Miehling, “Modelling the
Interaction between Wearable Assistive Devices and Digital Human Models—A
Systematic Review,” Frontiers in
Bioengineering and Biotechnology, vol 10, pp. 1-11, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] J.R. Wolpaw et al., “Brain-Computer Interface Technology: A Review of
the First International Meeting,” IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation
Engineering, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 164-173, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Jonathan Eby et al., “Electromyographic Typing Gesture
Classification Dataset for Neurotechnological Human–Machine
Interfaces,” Scientific Data, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-8, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Ángel Leonardo Valdivieso Caraguay et al., “Recognition of Hand Gestures
based on EMG Signals with Deep and Double-Deep Q-Networks,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 1-18, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Iris Kyranou, Katarzyna Szymaniak, and Kianoush Nazarpour, “EMG Dataset
for Gesture Recognition with Arm Translation,” Scientific Data, vol. 12,
pp. 1-11, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Ulysse Côté Allard et al., “A Convolutional Neural Network
for Robotic Arm Guidance using sEMG based Frequency-Features.” IEEE International Conference on Intelligent
Robots and Systems (IROS), Daejeon, Korea (South), pp. 2464-2470, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Manuela Gomez-Correa et al., “Forearm sEMG Data from Young Healthy
Humans during the Execution of Hand Movements,” Scientific Data, vol. 30,
pp. 1-16, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Nayan M. Kakoty et al., “Real-Time EMG based Prosthetic Hand Controller
Realizing Neuromuscular Constraint,” International
Journal of Intelligent Robotics and Applications, vol. 6, no. 3, pp.
530-542, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Alycia Gailey, Panagiotis Artemiadis, and Marco Santello, “Proof of
Concept of an Online EMG-based Decoding of Hand Postures and Individual Digit
Forces for Prosthetic Hand Control,” Frontiers
in Neurology, vol. 8, pp. 1-15, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] EunSu Kim et al., “EMG-based Dynamic Hand Gesture Recognition using Edge
AI for Human–Robot Interaction,” Electronics, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 1-19,
2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Qiyu Li, and Reza Langari, “EMG-based HCI using CNN-LSTM Neural Network
for Dynamic Hand Gestures Recognition,” IFAC-Papers
OnLine, vol. 55, no. 37, pp. 426-431, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Javier O. Pinzón Arenas, Robinson Jiménez Moreno, and Ruben Darío
Hernández Beleño, “Convolutional Neural Network with a DAG Architecture for
Control of a Robotic Arm by Means of Hand Gestures,” Contemporary Engineering Sciences, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 547-557,
2018.
[Google Scholar]
[15] Niosh Basnet et al., “Evaluating the Feasibility of EMG-based
Human–Machine Interfaces for Driving,” The
Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, vol. 68, no. 1, pp.
123-141, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] V. Rajesh, V. Sri Sravan, and N. Nanda Prakash, “EMG based Human Machine
Integration for IoT based Instruments” Proceedings of the International Conference on Internet of
Everything and Quantum Information Processing. (IEQIP), Lecture Notes in
Networks and Systems, Springer, Cham, vol. 1029, pp. 27-34, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Kasper Leerskov et al., “Investigating the Feasibility of Combining EEG
and EMG for Controlling a Hybrid Human Computer Interface in Patients with
Spinal Cord Injury,” 2020 IEEE 20th
International Conference on Bioinformaticsand Bioengineering (BIBE), Cincinnati, OH, USA, pp. 403-410,
2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Dan Stashuk, “EMG Signal Decomposition: How can it be Accomplished and
used?,” Journal of Electromyography and
Kinesiology, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 151-173, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Peter Konrad, “The ABC of EMG,” A Practical Introduction to
Kinesiological Electromyography, vol. 1, no. 2005, pp. 1-61, 2005.
[Google Scholar]
[20] R. Merletti, and G.L. Cerone, “Tutorial. Surface EMG Detection,
Conditioning and Pre-Processing: Best Practices,” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, vol. 54, pp. 1-21,
2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Jonathan R. Wolpaw et al., “Brain–Computer Interfaces for Communication
and Control,” Clinical Neurophysiology,
vol. 113, no. 6, pp. 767-791, 2002.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Giho Jang et al., “EMG-based Continuous Control Scheme with Simple
Classifier for Electric-Powered Wheelchair,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 63, no. 6, pp.
3695-3705, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Rubana H. Chowdhury et al., “Surface Electromyography Signal Processing
and Classification Techniques,” Sensors, vol. 13, no. 9, pp.
12431-12466, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Lasitha Piyathilaka et al., “Advances in EMG Signal Processing and
Pattern Recognition: Techniques, Challenges, and Emerging Applications,” Electronics, vol 15, no. 3, pp. 1-40,
2026.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Saeid Sanei, and Jonathon.A Chambers, EEG Signal Processing, John Wiley and Sons, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Anuj Ojha, “An Introduction to Electromyography Signal Processing and
Machine Learning for Pattern Recognition: A Brief Overview,” Extensive
Reviews, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 24-37, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Carlo J. De Luca et al., “Filtering the Surface EMG Signal: Movement
Artifact and Baseline Noise Contamination,” Journal
of Biomechanics, vol. 43, no.
8, pp. 1573-1579, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] M.B.I. Reaz, M.S. Hussain, and F. Mohd-Yasin, “Techniques of EMG Signal
Analysis: Detection, Processing, Classification and Application,” Biological Procedure Online, vol. 8, no.
1, pp. 11-35, 2006.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Mahmoud Tavakoli et al., “Robust Hand Gesture Recognition with a Double
Channel Surface EMG Wearable Armband and SVM Classifier,” Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, vol. 46, pp. 121-130,
2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Le Wang et al., “Hand Gesture Recognition using Smooth Wavelet Packet
Transformation and Hybrid CNN based on Surface EMG and Accelerometer Signal,” Biomedical Signal Processing and Control,
vol. 86, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Zhengquan Xu, and Shaojun Xiao, “Digital Filter Design for Peak
Detection of Surface EMG,” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology,
vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 275-281, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Daniele Esposito et al., “A
Smart Approach to EMG Envelope Extraction and Powerful Denoising for
Human–Machine Interfaces,” Scientific
Reports, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Elisa Romero Avila, Sybele E. Williams, and Catherine Disselhorst-Klug,
“Advances in EMG Measurement Techniques, Analysis Procedures, and the Impact of
Muscle Mechanics on Future Requirements for the Methodology,” Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 156, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Erick Guzmán-Quezada et al., “Development of an Electromyography Signal
Acquisition Prototype and Statistical Validation against a Commercial Device,” Sensors, vol. 24, no. 21, pp. 1-19, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Chiharu Ishii, and Ryoichi Konishi, “A Control of Electric Wheelchair
using an EMG based on Degree of Muscular Activity,” 2016 Euromicro Conference on Digital System
Design (DSD), Limassol, Cyprus, pp. 567-574, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] Andre Ferreira et al., “Human-Machine Interfaces based on EMG and EEG
Applied to Robotic System,” Journal
of Neuro Engineering and Rehabilitation, vol. 5, no. 10, pp. 1-15, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[37] Upside Down Labs, BioAmp EXG Pill, Upside Down Labs, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://store.upsidedownlabs.tech/product/bioamp-exg-pill/
[38] Analog Devices, AD8232: Single-Lead, Heart Rate Monitor Front End,
Analog Devices, 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://www.analog.com/en/products/ad8232.html
[39] Arduinodocs, UNO R3, Arduinodocs, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/uno-rev3/
[40] Arduinodocs, Nano ESP32, Arduinodocs, 2026. [Online].
Available: https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/nano-esp32/
[41] K. Priyanka, and A. Mariyammal, “DC Motor Speed Control using PWM,” International Journal of Innovative Science
and Research Technology, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 584-587, 2018.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[42] Mehmet Akif Ozdemir et al., “Dataset for Multi-Channel Surface
Electromyography (sEMG) Signals of Hand Gestures,” Data in Brief, vol.
41, pp. 1-10, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[43] N. Krilova et al., “EMG Data
for Gestures,” UCI Machine Learning Repository, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Publisher Link]