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228 Control theory in biomedical engineering

• Control techniques: With AI approaches, new methodologies for con-
trolling prostheses in a natural way and with fast response should be con-
sidered in novel designs.
• Design methodologies: Currently there is not a defined standard meth-
odology for envisaging prosthetic robots. Hence, there is a need to
acquire standard methods and tools for manufacturing prostheses.
• Digital manufacturing: With Industry 4.0, the conventional ways of
designing prostheses and their sub-technologies should be changed,
including additive and subtractive computerized manufacture and intel-
ligent approaches for designing prosthetic devices with personalized
requirements.
• Energy autonomy: The growing development of materials in the field of
batteries should focus on decreasing the weight and dimensions of por-
table batteries, and increasing self-energy-generating sources for pros-
thetic mechatronic WDs.

6 Conclusion

Overviewing the history and state of the art of wearable devices, mechatro-
nics and robotics are still in their way of maturity, although great efforts have
been made by the scientific community and companies. We do not yet see
every upper-limb amputee using a prosthetic WD, especially in developing
countries. The high cost of most advanced prostheses is a barrier, as is the
lack of user adherence. More emphasis is needed on improving the bilateral
communication between amputees and their prostheses in order to naturally
achieve their integration and use. To meet this challenge, more clinical trials
are needed. Sensory feedback prosthetics is a fascinating field that is not yet
well explored; it opens up opportunities to achieve more intelligent WD for
the benefit of users.

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