USB Biofeedback Game Controller

Building upon our last tutorial, which taught you how to build a muscle sensor, we've decided to give you a project that really showcases the power of our muscle (EMG) sensors. Advancer Technologies’ “USB Biofeedback Game Controller” harnesses the power of electromyography to allow players to directly control video games with their muscles. At the core of this plug-in-play controller is the powerful yet low-cost Arduino UNO microcontroller, a favorite among hobbyist and students, acting as a HID keyboard interface. Integrated with the Arduino UNO are four of our new Platinum Series Muscle (EMG) Sensors, allowing four muscles to act independently or in combination with each other to control over four buttons. In our setup, we elected to use a six button setup with the left forearm controlling the B button (RUN/ATTACK), the right forearm controlling the A button (JUMP), the left bicep controlling the LEFT button, the right bicep controlling the RIGHT button, and combinations for UP and DOWN.

This tutorial will teach you to build a USB Biofeedback Game Controller. Use it to play any computer game (that uses keyboard inputs) using your muscles as the controller.




Check out our previous Instructable to learn how to build your own Muscle Sensor

or

Drop by our webstore to purchase muscle sensor circuit boards, sensors, kits, cables and electrodes
Muscle Sensor Bronze Package ....Kit includes all circuit parts
Muscle Sensor Silver Package .......Kit includes PCB circuit board and all circuit parts
Muscle Sensor Gold Package ........Fully assembled sensor (international shipping available)
Muscle Sensor Platinum Package ........Half the size of the Gold Package (international shipping available)

Note: This sensor is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation treatment, or prevention of disease, in a man or other animals.

About Advancer Technologies
Advancer Technologies is a company devoted to developing innovative game-changing biomedical and biomechanical technologies and applied sciences. Additionally, Advancer Technologies promotes all forms of interest and learning into biomedical technologies. To help cultivate and educate future great minds and concepts in the field, they frequently post informative instructions on some of their technologies. For more information, please visit www.AdvancerTechnologies.com .

Step 1 Materials

Basics
1 x Arduino Uno R2 (needs the atmega8u2 USB chip which is only available on newer Arduino MCUs)
1 x Arduino Project Enclosure
1 x USB cable for your Arduino
4 x Advancer Technologies Platinum Muscle Sensor 
1 x Advancer Technologies Muscle Sensor Power Supply (without headers)
1 x 12V Power Supply (Wall wart) 
4 sets of EMG Cables and Electrodes

Misc.
Jumper cables or solid core wire
3 x 1" length pieces of 24-30 AWG wire (1/8" stripped off each end)
3 x 2" length pieces of 24-30 AWG wire (1/8" stripped off each end)
3 x 3" length pieces of 24-30 AWG wire (1/8" stripped off each end)
3 x 4" length pieces of 24-30 AWG wire (1/8" stripped off each end)
3 x 3 position Female Receptacle 
1 x 3 position Female Housing
3 x Crimps for Female Housing
Plastic board (ABS)
1 pack x 3/8" 4-40 Screws (91772A108)
2 packs x 4-40 Nuts

Tools
Soldering Iron
Scissors or Tin Snips
Crimping tool
Screw driver
Drill with 1/8" bit
Sandpaper
Dremel tool or other cutting tool

Software
Arduino
Processing

Comments

[agsking]

Looks really cool but for $400 just for the sensors its kinda impractical :\

Good job though :D

[epicnoobpwn]

Or you could grow big muscles, wrap arm straps around your biceps and flex to press switch. That would be a lot easier. I'm just saying.

[elzurdo86]

Great!, I'm actually starting to study Biofeedback as well, I just have a question about the noise that the circuits may get, is that a lot? or the circuit is designed to leave that aside.
Greetings from Mexico

[ARIrish]

Finally I have a real reason to want to build up my weak and feeble arms...

[13thvulture]

that is pretty cool, but does it actually provide some kind of workout, or is it just for fun?

[Specautomatics]

Cool :-)

[GuyWitheGlasses]

NES Kinect! Seems like my arms would get tired after hours of Mario Bros. action.

[asocial]

great