AI Prosthetic Movement Speed Optimised

Researchers, led by Harin Manujaya Hapuarachchi from Kochi University of Technology, discovered that the movement speed of AI-powered prosthetic arms significantly impacts a user's sense of embodiment and usability. Using virtual reality simulations, they found that a moderate speed, around one second per movement, resulted in the highest levels of body ownership and user acceptance. Both overly fast and overly slow movements caused participants to feel less connected to the prosthetic. This breakthrough suggests that for future autonomous robotic augmentations, mimicking natural human timing is crucial for successful integration, rather than solely focusing on maximum speed or mechanical efficiency. The study was supported by various Japanese funding bodies, including the Japan===Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the Murata Science and Education Foundation, the Japan===Japan Science and Technology Agency, and the Japan===Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.