Summary: Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, have developed a noninvasive ultra-wideband radar muscle sensing technology that measures muscle forces through electromagnetic signals. The breakthrough could enable smarter exoskeletons, robotic prosthetics, rehabilitation systems, and wearable mobility devices with real-time human movement assistance.

 

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In a breakthrough for wearable robotics and human-machine interaction, researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, have developed a new ultra-wideband (UWB) radar muscle sensor capable of measuring muscle forces noninvasively during contraction.

 

 

Published in Science Robotics, the technology introduces a new approach to understanding how muscles generate mechanical force without requiring invasive implants or surgical procedures.

 

The sensor uses miniature ultra-wideband radar antennas placed on the skin to transmit electromagnetic pulses into muscle tissue. By analyzing changes in transmitted and reflected signals during muscle contraction, the system can detect internal muscle activity and estimate the forces produced beneath the skin.

 

The research was led by Ph.D. candidate Christopher Bird at the University of Queensland. He explained that accurate measurement of muscle forces has previously been unavailable without invasive methods, limiting the ability of robotic assistive devices to respond precisely to human needs.

 

“For robotic or prosthetic devices, we want to know when assistance should be provided and how much support is needed,” Bird said.

 

Unlike many existing exoskeletons that rely on external movement measurements, the UQ UWB radar muscle sensing system directly monitors biological signals from muscles, creating a pathway toward more intuitive and adaptive wearable robots.

 

Associate Professor Taylor Dick from UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences highlighted the technology’s potential in rehabilitation, sports injury recovery, and aged care. The sensor could help clinicians monitor muscle fatigue, reduce reinjury risks, and improve decisions before rehabilitation or surgical treatment.

 

 

The next development stage is enabling real-time muscle force monitoring, allowing the sensor to become a direct control input for robotic prostheses, exoskeletons, and mobility assistance systems.

 

The University of Queensland’s radar-based muscle sensing technology represents a significant step toward future AI-powered wearable robotics, intelligent prosthetics, and personalized human mobility solutions.