Coming as the latest in a long string of new developments in the field of robotics, a novel development from scientists in Ajou University now seems set to follow the footsteps left by the “soft” robots and the “rolling fingers” robot, both from earlier last year.
The new robotics project, named the integrated linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic (ILDA) hand and published in the journal Nature Communications, is now set to receive further design updates and developments to allow its use in both prosthetics and general robots. The project is spearheaded by Uikyum Kim, from Ajou University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The robot hand itself, which is made of a combination of steel and aluminum, clocks in at just under 1.2 kg (2.5 lbs) and some 21.6 cm (8.5 in) in length. It has some twenty (20) joints, as well as metal “tendons,” which work together to give the robot its signature dexterity and strength—the latter of which it easily demonstrated by lifting a dumbbell that weighed some 18 kg (40 lbs).
According to Kim and the team, the ILDA hand is capable of feats such as picking up eggs without breaking them, pouring drinks, and crushing cans, among others. It is also known to be a bit durable, with the robotic hand having demonstrated a negligible loss in strength as it held down a sensor using its fingers for 30 minutes.
Said Kim to New Scientist: “The greatest strength of the developed robotic hand is that it is very easy to attach to existing commercial robot arms while having both strong grip and delicacy.”
Soon after making some proposed adjustments to the hand to allow its use in the field of prosthetics, the team also hopes to develop an “artificial skin,” which may allow it to replicate the sensation of human touch.
References
- Kim, U., Jung, D., Jeong, H., Park, J., Jung, H.-M., Cheong, J., Choi, H. R., Do, H., & Park, C. (2021). Integrated linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic robotic hand. Nature Communications, 12(1), 7177. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27261-0
- Núñez-Torrón, A., & Rennolds, N. (2022, January 7). This robotic hand is precise enough to move a microchip with tweezers. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/this-robotic-hand-is-strong-enough-to-crush-a-can-and-precise-enough-to-move-a-microchip-with-tweezers
- Wong, C. (2021, December 14). Robotic hand can crush beer cans and hold eggs without breaking them. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2301641-robotic-hand-can-crush-beer-cans-and-hold-eggs-without-breaking-them/
