Sensor controls avatars with nerve signals

Quantum magnetic field sensor Sensor controls avatars with nerve signals

2024-08-07 Source: Quant | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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Quantum technology company Qant has developed a magnetic field sensor that can measure the finest electrical currents via their magnetic field more simply and accurately than before. For example, the sensor can be used to control prosthetics via muscle signals.

The magnetic field sensor will be further miniaturized and in the future will be installed directly in prosthetics.(Image: Qant) — The magnetic field sensor will be further miniaturized and in the future will be installed directly in prosthetics.
(Image: Qant)

Technologies at the interface of man and machine have the potential to revolutionize entire industry sectors. The Stuttgart headquartered quantum technology company Qant has now taken a decisive step in this direction with its magnetic field sensor, thereby initiating a paradigm shift. With the new sensor, the finest electrical currents can be measured more simply and precisely via their magnetic field than before. This also makes the native and intuitive access to bio-signals possible for the first time. For example, the everyday miniature sensor can control prosthetics via muscle signals and take the sensor technology in medical technology to a new level.

Gamer Changer: Use in the automotive and electronics industry

Quantum sensing, alongside quantum computing, is considered a catalyst for industrial progress. Qant is a leader in both areas and drives its development activities up to industrial maturity. An example is the magnetic field sensor. "Quantum sensing is a game-changer for the industry. Numerous applications are conceivable for our sensor, be it in medical technology, electronics or the automotive industry. It can measure the finest electrical currents and resulting magnetic fields. We are creating something totally new and this will lead to a rethink in many sectors. The applications range from quality assurance of hard drives to identifying fault currents in power chips or batteries, even machines and devices might someday be controllable by thought," says Dr. Michael Förtsch, CEO of Qant.

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Michael Förtsch, CEO & Founder of Qant, is convinced that the magnetic field sensor will redefine the human-machine interface and bring forth numerous new applications.(Image: Qant)

Michael Förtsch, CEO & Founder of Qant.(Image: Qant)

Dieter Jüptner, President of the Federal Association for People with Arm or Leg Amputation.(Image: Qant)

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Small, precise, suitable for everyday use

The magnetic field sensor from Qant is unique with its extremely high sensitivity despite its compact size, equal to a glasses case. It allows the measurement of the smallest magnetic fields in the picotesla range, which corresponds to one millionth of the Earth's magnetic field—and this under everyday conditions. Other technical solutions only achieve a comparable sensitivity range in special laboratory environments and by cooling the sensors down to absolute zero (-273 °C) or by heating them up to 150 °C (302°F). The magnetic field sensor from Qant, on the other hand, is sensitive enough to even detect human muscle signals in nerve pathways. Qant provides the proof at the Hanover Fair: The company shows in a setup with a hand prosthesis how the magnetic field sensor recognizes the signals of human muscle and transmits them to the prosthesis, which then clenches into a fist within milliseconds.

Application example in medical technology and prosthetics

The combination of sensitivity, minimal size, and operation at room temperature without direct body contact make the sensor ready for everyday use today. In prosthetic control, magnetic signals work more precisely and reliably than electrical ones, which can be disturbed by sweat or hair on the skin, for instance. "The new technology takes the prosthetic care of people with arm or leg amputations to a new level and thus improves their quality of life. Moreover, it contributes to better societal integration of people with missing limbs," says Dieter Jüptner, President of the Federal Association for People with Arm or Leg Amputation. Furthermore, the sensor can be used in rehabilitation for muscle training control or in the diagnosis of muscle dysfunctions. Neuronal disorders could be identified with it or the diagnostics of spinal cord paralysis could be improved. Exoskeletons can also be intuitively controlled and contribute to work safety. For telemedicine, it might even be conceivable to control avatars in the metaverse with it in the future.

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