Automatic electromyography (EMG) electrode selection for robotic devices is disclosed. A plurality of signals from a corresponding plurality of sensors coupled to a skin of a user is received. For each pair of at least some pairs of the plurality of sensors, a sensor pair signature is generated based on differences in signals that are generated by the respective pair of sensors. Each of the sensor pair signatures is compared to a predetermined sensor pair signature to identify a particular pair of sensors. A signal difference between two signals generated by the particular pair of sensors is subsequently utilized to generate a command to drive a motor.