Ephemeral Myographic Motion: Repurposing the Myo Armband to Control Disposable Pneumatic Sculptures

TL;DR

This work tackles e-waste and obsolescence in consumer electronics by reanimating two abandoned artifacts—the Myo myoelectric armband and the Programmable Air soft-robotics kit—to drive a pneumatic sculpture, Strain, made from disposable components. The authors implement a hardware/software pipeline (Myo → Raspberry Pi → Arduino → pneumatic actuators) and choose decomposable materials (latex, bamboo, PLA) to realize an ephemeral, expressive device. They introduce a reusable component library and updated control software (homeostasis for inflation; Myo–Arduino communication) to demonstrate sustained utility from abandoned hardware, reframing obsolescence as a design space. The work contributes a tangible demonstration of unmaking in HCI, highlighting sustainable, emotionally engaging practice and offering resources to disseminate postmortem hardware interventions. Practically, the approach offers a template for recycling consumer electronics into time-bound, collectible artworks, reducing waste while expanding opportunities for rapid, open-source prototyping.

Abstract

This paper details the development of an interactive sculpture built from deprecated hardware technology and intentionally decomposable, transient materials. We detail a case study of "Strain" - an emotive prototype that reclaims two orphaned digital artifacts to power a kinetic sculpture made of common disposable objects. We use the Myo, an abandoned myoelectric armband, in concert with the Programmable Air, a soft-robotics prototyping project, to manipulate a pneumatic bladder array constructed from condoms, bamboo skewers, and a small library of 3D printed PLA plastic connectors designed to work with these generic parts. The resulting sculpture achieves surprisingly organic actuation. The goal of this project is to produce several reusable components: software to resuscitate the Myo Armband, homeostasis software for the Programmable Air or equivalent pneumatic projects, and a library of easily-printed parts that will work with generic bamboo disposables for sculptural prototyping. This project works to develop usable, repeatable engineering by applying it to a slightly whimsical object that promotes a strong emotional response in its audience. Through this, we transform the disposable into the sustainable. In this paper, we reflect on project-based insights into rescuing and revitalizing abandoned consumer electronics for future works.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: This diagram depicts the block model for Strain. The Myo armband detects hand gestures from the user. These are sent to the Raspberry Pi, which interprets the gestures and transmits corresponding signals to the Arduino Nano. The Arduino then actuates the pneumatic outputs to manipulate the sculpture.
• Figure 2: Strain inflated. The outer condoms fill with air, actuating their structures outward. The central condom inflates inward, straightening the flexible PLA "neck" of the sculpture.
• Figure 3: Strain deflated. Without internal air pressure, the outer condoms relax, allowing the arm structures to fold inward. Simultaneously, the deflated central bladder bends backwards.
• Figure 4: This image shows some of the modular 3D printed clips used to assemble the actuator chain spine. The interlocking shape enables flexible arrangement for different volumes.