AI’s predictive learning algorithm delivers real-time feedback to the prosthetic wearer
Research led by Adam Parker at the University of Alberta’s Bionic Limbs for Improved Natural Control (BLINC) Lab is breaking new ground, harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to create prosthetics that offer a more personalized and responsive experience. Unlike conventional prosthetics that function as static tools, Parker’s AI-driven devices adapt to and learn from their users, fostering a dynamic partnership where the prosthetic and user work together.
“A potential path towards improving user interactions with prosthetic limbs in the current age of artificial intelligence is to view the device not as a tool being used, but as a partner assisting the user in their daily life,” Parker says.
Adam Parker
One of Parker’s key experiments illustrates this approach. Participants used a prosthetic arm to complete a challenging task: moving a fragile plastic cup without crushing it. Half the participants worked with an arm that provided direct feedback – a beeping sound whenever too much force was applied. The other half used a prosthetic powered by a prediction learning algorithm, a type of AI that observes user behaviour and improves its responses over time. Initially, the predictive arm offered no assistance, but as it learned from user actions and mistakes, it began warning participants before they applied excessive force.
The participants using the predictive learning arm became more engaged and viewed it more positively because they saw the system improving over time. This adaptability gave them confidence in its ability to help them complete the task. By contrast, the direct feedback arm – though more effective at guiding users from the start – did not adapt or improve, leading to less user engagement.
“They (those using the predictive learning arm) didn’t know at what load the cup would be crushed until it had experienced that once. Then it set out to help the user by warning them with an audible signal before they reached that critical load,” Parker explains.
This finding highlights an essential insight: users appreciated the prosthetic’s ability to adapt and grow with them, fostering a collaborative relationship. Parker believes this adaptability is key to making prosthetics more effective.
Future developments could include prosthetics that communicate through non-verbal cues, such as changes in resistance, rather than relying solely on sounds. For instance, a prosthetic might stiffen slightly when sensing potential danger, mimicking the subtle physical signals humans use to collaborate. “My goal is not to make AI function like a human,” Parker says. “I prefer making them better at interacting with humans rather than imitating humans.”
Patrick Pilarski, a professor and AI expert at the University of Alberta, highlights the broader implications of Parker’s work. “Adam has changed my thinking – and that of our international community – as to how intelligent machines can be better partners and collaborators,” Pilarski says. “His research has helped us appreciate how machine learning can enhance the evolving relationship between humans and assistive technologies.”
This research has transformative implications for rehabilitation medicine, offering new possibilities for prosthetics that intuitively respond to user needs. By designing devices that act as adaptive partners, Parker’s work moves the field toward solutions that improve not only functionality but also the overall quality of life for users.
As Parker continues his postdoctoral research, he aims to refine these concepts further, exploring how AI-driven prosthetics can integrate seamlessly into daily life. His work promises to redefine the relationship between humans and machines, positioning prosthetics as true partners in a future where technology is both intelligent and profoundly human-centred.
| Staff
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by our columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our publication.
© Troy Media
Troy Media is committed to empowering Canadian community news outlets by providing independent, insightful analysis and commentary. Our mission is to support local media in building an informed and engaged public by delivering reliable content that strengthens community connections, enriches national conversations, and helps Canadians learn from and understand each other better.
