MyoWare 2.0 EMG Sensor Not Providing Defined / Usable Output for Robotic Arm Control

Sensors
1

Product: MyoWare 2.0 Muscle Sensor
Application: EMG-based Robotic Arm Control
Platform Used: Arduino (Serial Plotter for signal visualization)

Problem Description:

We are facing persistent issues with the MyoWare 2.0 EMG sensor while using it for a robotic arm control project.

Despite following the recommended setup and usage procedures as per the official documentation, the sensor is not producing a well-defined or usable output. The values observed on the Arduino Serial Plotter exhibit a very narrow range of variation, even during clear and deliberate muscle contractions and relaxations.

Due to this limited signal range, the EMG data is insufficient to drive actuators or servo motors for robotic arm movement. The output does not show enough amplitude difference to reliably distinguish between rest and contraction states, making EMG-based control impractical for our application.

Precautions and Setup Already Followed:

  • Electrode pads are placed correctly as per recommended muscle placement guidelines

  • Skin is properly cleaned using alcohol swabs before attaching the electrodes

  • Fresh adhesive pads are used with good skin contact

  • The laptop is disconnected from the wall power outlet to avoid power-line noise and grounding issues

  • Stable power supply is provided to the sensor and microcontroller

Despite taking all these precautions, the issue persists.

Observed Issues:

  • Output values on the Serial Plotter remain within a very small range

  • No clear distinction between muscle rest and contraction

  • Signal amplitude is too low to map effectively to robotic arm movement

  • Output appears inconsistent and insufficient for threshold-based control

Clarification Required:

We request guidance on the following points:

  1. Which signal output is recommended for visualization and control logic:

    • Raw EMG output

    • Rectified signal

    • Envelope output

  2. Which of the above should be plotted on the Serial Plotter for proper analysis and threshold setting?

  3. Whether additional external amplification, filtering, or gain configuration is required for robotic arm applications

  4. Any recommended calibration steps or best practices specific to motion-control use cases.

This issue is significantly impacting our project progress, and timely technical clarification would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for your support.