Researchers create super-sensitive robotic hand

It looks like the ability to grab a can of beans wasn't enough to satisfy those mad scientists at the University of Southampton, who promptly went back to work in the lab to create an even more dexterous and sensitive robotic hand, one that'll let its human controller (or eventual autonomous robot overlord) pick up delicate objects without having to worry about breaking or dropping them. The big advance here, as New Scientist reports, is a set of pressure sensors fitted onto each fingertip that automatically determine the correct amount of pressure to apply, as well as set of so-called "slip-detectors," which can detect even slight amounts of slippage and correct the grip before the object falls crashing to the floor. Eventually, the researchers hope amputees will be able to take advantage of the hand, even linking it directly to their brain. It the meantime, however, 'ol Grippy here will likely continue to defend its undefeated streak in the sport of nerd-machine arm wrestling.

[andy @ Dec 13th 2006 3:15PM]

Even without the brain control, if it can just grip (w/o crushing or slipping) and release, that would be a huge help to the amputees out there.

bravo.

[Dae @ Dec 13th 2006 3:23PM]

Asimo + SeRopi+ This Robo Hand = Judgment Day (Terminator)

[Farris @ Dec 13th 2006 3:44PM]

This really is a remarkable advance in robotics and amputee recovery.

But, how cool would it be to have a pair of these strapped to your back a la Doc Ock from Spiderman? I realize that at first it sounds kinda... well, stupid, but I'm sure there are several fields that would love to have a few people suited up like that.

[master_of_fm @ Dec 13th 2006 3:52PM]

i bet the "slip-detectors" allow it to hold on to a wiimote better than the knucklebrains throwing them at their tvs

[anonymous @ Dec 13th 2006 4:27PM]

i bet you could totally hack a wiimote to control this thing ;)

[James @ Dec 13th 2006 5:41PM]

Let me know when I can buy one to assemble myself in kit form, preferably for under 200 bucks.

[Emceay @ Dec 13th 2006 8:04PM]

I'm with Farris, I've been dreaming of extra robot limbs hard for at least 2 years now... and e-paper.

[Tallon @ Dec 13th 2006 9:44PM]

Pair this with the arm that responds to nerve impluses, assuming an adequete power supply can be made, and you've got a nearly fully functional arm prosthetic. Sweetness.

[zanbowser @ Dec 14th 2006 7:35AM]

I, for one, welcome our (now more dextrous and sensate) iron-fisted robot overlords...

Just imagine their glee at the fabulous tactile feedback they'll get while crushing us into jelly!

[aeo @ Dec 14th 2006 12:04PM]

Keep in mind that not only are pressure sensors useful for not gripping an object too hard, they're also useful for ensuring a quick death to your victims by helping you calculate sufficient pressure to "do the job". My recommendation to anyone spying a robot sporting one of these hands is to run. Run like your heat-signature depends upon it.

[Craig Shergold @ Dec 14th 2006 2:35PM]

Gecko force-field fabric. Definitely needs gecko force-field fabric.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/12/04/fs.syntheticgecko/index.html

See, then we can have "The Robot Hand Of Orlov", where a murderous robot's hands are chopped off during demolition and they crawl around by themselves.

[Murc @ Dec 14th 2006 11:44PM]

good, this by far beats the 2-prongs approach.

[reviewer @ Sep 16th 2007 5:40PM]

This is actually a mechanical system of hand strongly under-actuated,.. To design and manufacture a prehensor copied on the human hand which is an approach is very expensive and which is unnecessarily complex for the majority of the actions requested from a robot, puts forward the researcher. Human itself cannot use independently all the articulations with its hand. To be convinced some, it is enough to try to fold only the last articulation of each finger...thanks for this blog...my website-
http://www.linereview.com