• : I'mnovation
    Imnovation
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
    • Energy
    • Construction
    • Water
    • dt Created with Sketch. Digital Transformation
    • st Created with Sketch. Science & Technology
    • Society
    • SUSCRÍBETE A NUESTRA RSS
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
  • Home
  • Science & Technology
  • Innovative robotic hand
Previous Next
  • An Innovative Robotic Hand Closer to Replicating Human Abilities

    Cutting paper with scissors, using tweezers, or grasping objects are some of the abilities of the new robotic hand designed by Korean researchers.

One of the most striking scenes of Terminator 2, a film that recently celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, shows the robotic hand of the cyborg played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Undoubtedly, the fascination generated by the image responds to the complexity of the movement that replicates the gracefulness of human joints. Until recently, such technology was the stuff of science fiction. After all, achieving a robotic device with the precision, maneuverability, and varying levels of accuracy of such a human limb is a real engineering feat. However, the latest scientific breakthroughs bring us very close to that fantasy. And, hopefully, without the part of machines becoming conscious and taking over the world.

In this article, we will clear up some doubts about robotic hands by addressing these points:

  • The new generation of robotic hands
  • Technologies used by robotic hands
  • Real-world applications

The new generation of robotic hands

A team of Korean researchers recently published a paper in the journal Nature Communications showing one of the most advanced robotic hand models to date. The key lies not so much in its strength but in its gentleness. Of course, robots have been used in industrial plants since the mid-20th century.

The first of these, called Unimate, was used in the automotive industry. This model was equipped with grippers and could lift heavyweights. But neither it nor its successors could hold a hen's egg without damaging it.

 

 

 

The IDLA (linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic) hand is set to change that. The device features four fingers and a human-style thumb. In addition to their respective joints -twenty in all- those fingers incorporate sensors in the "fingertips."

The total size is twenty-two centimeters and weighs just over one kilogram. But what exactly can it do? Here are some of the abilities of the Korean robotic hand:

  • Use precision tweezers
  • Use scissors to cut paper
  • Hold an egg or a soda can without damaging it (and fill a glass while you're at it).
  • Exert a force of up to 34 newtons

The IDLA also has the advantage that all its circuits and systems are integrated into the hand itself, so it can be easily integrated into existing robotic arms.

Robotic hand technologies

This is not the first time we have talked about robotic hands on this page. Several initiatives showcase the various approaches to this technology. Each addresses different challenges, from the sense of touch to the ability to grasp fragile objects. Here are a few examples:

  • Robotic hands using static electricity. Instead of using pressure mechanisms, the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has investigated the possibility of using static electricity to pick up fragile or brittle objects.
  • HASEL, the technology that mimics human musculature. Human muscles contract or expand in response to electrical stimuli. And that is the approach taken by the University of Colorado, where researchers have used cavities filled with a liquid sensitive to electrostatic charges. The result is a hand capable of holding a raspberry without damaging it.
  • The sense of touch in robots. Besides the systems for managing grip strength, one of the keys is the sense of touch. At the University of Washington, they have developed one of the most advanced prototypes in this regard. Their system detects minute vibrations of materials eight hundred times per second. If you want to know more about touch in robots, take a look at the video below:

 

Applications of robotic hands

Advances in this field are not limited to laboratory feats. With a little luck, we will start to see these technologies in the real world. Paradoxically, one of the most promising applications will not be in robots, but in human prostheses.

Thus, both new tactile systems and pressure control technologies will enable the development of artificial hands.

 

One of the models that has caught our attention is that of a solar-powered bionic hand. This invention also uses artificial intelligence to interpret the signals from the muscles to which it is attached and convert them into movements.

Such robotic hands are also expected to have their place in high-precision applications such as surgery or the control of machinery in hazardous environments such as nuclear power plants.  

Sources: TechXplore, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unimate

  • Robots
  • robotics

Share on social media

{{CommentsCount}} Comments

Currently no one has commented on the news.
Be the first to leave a comment.

{{firstLevelComment.Name}}

{{firstLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{firstLevelComment.Text}}

Answer

{{secondLevelComment.Name}}

{{secondLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{secondLevelComment.Text}}

Write your comment

All fields are mandatory.

Name

Email address

Comments

250 max char.

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

{{btnSendCommentText}}

Thank you for your comment

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851, Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial de la Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid, Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50, email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com, in order to address and manage your queries, requests, claims and suggestions, as well as to electronically send information regarding our products and services through the contact email address.

The consent given by users when they contact us comprises the legal grounds for processing the data.

The data shall be stored as long as the relationship is maintained and the elimination thereof is not requested, and in any case, never for more than twelve months.

In the event your request is not addressed to ACCIONA but to an entity belonging to the Acciona Group, such entity shall transmit the data to the Group company that can most efficiently address your request for information or a service. Accordingly, when these data are transferred such transfer may be international due to the fact that these companies are located in countries outside the European Union, in order to address the communication needs among the individuals that comprise the Group at the global level. (You can consult a list of Group companies at www.acciona.com/shareholders-investors/financial-information/annual-accounts/. By accepting the privacy terms, you consent to your data being transferred internationally in order for your request to be properly processed. Other data transfers are not anticipated, except where required by law.

The interested party can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data before Acciona, S.A. by addressing ACCIONA in writing at the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. In either case, the interested party must enclose or attach a copy of their National ID (DNI) or other ID. Furthermore, at any time the interested party may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim before the Supervisory Authority (the Spanish Data Protection Agency www.aepd.es).

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter

... and stay informed with the latest news on innovation.

Send me the newsletter
{{ btnSendText }}

Wrong email format

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

YOU'RE JUST ONE STEP AWAY!

Please, confirm your subscription on the email we have sent you and your registration will be completed.

YOU ARE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO THE NEWSLETTER!

If you've missed our content, try checking your junk mailbox and add us to your address book so you can enjoy them without any problem.

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid; Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. Your data shall be processed in order to send you information, through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means, regarding our latest technological innovation of ACCIONA´s initiative "I’MNOVATION #Hub", which aims to bring the general public main news, advances and curiosities of the innovation technology of all the companies that make up the ACCIONA Group.

 

The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing. The data provide is your email address. If you fails to provide the required data, the subscription Request cannot be satisfied. We may also process your satisfaction or preferences, if you voluntarily respond to surveys. Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested.

In order to carry out our purpose, we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose. Some of its service providers, may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union. In such cases, we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same.

 

The data subject can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data to Acciona, S.A. by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es). You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication.

 

For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/.

More about Science & Technology

  • Science & Technology

    Nanotextures solve a historic problem

    Nanotexturing that prevents scale forming on the inside of pipes can reduce plant maintenance costs significantly

  • Science & Technology

    3D printers on the march

    Liquid metal enables new 3D printers to work up to 100 times faster than earlier models

  • Science & Technology

    Futuristic adhesive imitates the gecko’s unique sticking skills

    The secret of this revolutionary new material is found at nano level, where the researchers have come up with a peculiar surface geometry to imitate the characteristics of the feet of geckos.

Featured topics

Read the most discussed articles

  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • New materials
  • Robots
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • 3D printing
  • Graphene
  • Drones
  • Biomimicry
  • Water
  • Nature

Categories

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Water
  • Digital Transformation
  • Science & Technology
  • Society

Featured topics

  • Innovation
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Water
  • Robots

Innovation is a change that introduces new features. The concept is generally used in the sense of inventions, new ideas, devices, methods and processes, and the application of improved solutions meeting fresh economic or societal requirements. Strictly speaking, however, ideas can only be termed “innovations” once they have imposed themselves as successful new products, services or procedures.

About us
Subscribe to our RSS
Imnovation
Acciona

An ACCIONA innovation initiative

  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Legal notice
  • Site map
  • Contact
  • ACCIONA's websites