3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Researchers Develop Low-cost Robotic Grasping Hand
Join our mailing list

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Researchers Develop Low-cost Robotic Grasping Hand

April 12, 2023

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a low-cost, energy-efficient robotic hand capable of grasping various objects using passive movement from its wrist and tactile sensors on its ‘skin’. This innovation, published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, addresses the challenges robots face in handling objects of different sizes, shapes, and textures.

Low-cost grasping hand
Low-cost grasping hand (Image credit: University Of Cambridge)

The 3D printed robot hand, designed by Professor Fumiya Iida’s Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory, uses a small amount of energy to mimic human hand movements without the need for fully motorized fingers. The hand is implanted with tactile sensors, allowing it to sense the object it’s touching, and can predict whether it will drop objects based on the sensor data.

Successful Trials

Through more than 1200 tests, the robot hand demonstrated its ability to grasp 11 out of 14 objects, including a peach, a computer mouse, and a roll of bubble wrap. The passive design is easier to control, provides a wide range of motion, and simplifies the learning process.

“In earlier experiments, our lab has shown that it’s possible to get a significant range of motion in a robot hand just by moving the wrist,” Dr Thomas George-Thuruthel, co-author of the paper.

“We wanted to see whether a robot hand based on passive movement could not only grasp objects, but would be able to predict whether it was going to drop the objects or not, and adapt accordingly.”

Natural Movement

This breakthrough could pave the way for the development of affordable robotics with natural movement and adaptability. Future expansions could include computer vision capabilities or teaching the robot to exploit its environment for grasping a broader range of objects. The project was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Arm Ltd.

You can find the research paper, titled “Predictive Learning of Error Recovery with a Sensorized Passivity-Based Soft Anthropomorphic Hand” over at this link.

Interview with professor Fumiya Lida

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Researchers Create New Method for 3D Printing Bridge

Researchers from institutes in Germany and the Netherlands have been working on a method of creating complex geometries in construction. The end result... read more »

Construction
Researchers Create New Method for 3D Printing Bridge

New Material Advances 3D Printed Bone Replacements

Daniel Bomze, Director of Medical Solutions at Lithoz, discussed their novel Lithabone HA 480 material for 3D printed bone replacements in a recent... read more »

Materials
New Material Advances 3D Printed Bone Replacements

Nanoparticle Visualization through 3D Printing

Anne Bentley, an associate professor at Lewis & Clark College, has pioneered a method to visually represent nanoparticles using 3D printed models. Nanoparticles,... read more »

News
Nanoparticle Visualization through 3D Printing

OZRUH 3D Prints Furniture from Recyclable Quartz Sand

London-based architectural design studio OZRUH recently unveiled the PRIMITIVES [1] furniture collection, uniquely crafted from 3D printed quartz sand. This material choice reflects... read more »

News
OZRUH 3D Prints Furniture from Recyclable Quartz Sand

Understanding Solute Trapping in 3D Printing

A recent study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London offers insights into the solute transport and solidification mechanisms in additive... read more »

News
Understanding Solute Trapping in 3D Printing

Researchers Study Use of Graphene Oxide in 3D Printed Concrete

A collaborative study by RMIT University and the University of Melbourne has explored the impact of graphene oxide on 3D printed concrete. This... read more »

Construction
Researchers Study Use of Graphene Oxide in 3D Printed Concrete

Oerlikon to Relocate AM Business to North Carolina

Oerlikon, headquartered in Switzerland, is set to realign its additive manufacturing business by consolidating its AM production in Huntersville, North Carolina, USA. This... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Oerlikon to Relocate AM Business to North Carolina

3D Printed Xchair: Merging Ergonomics and Metaverse Aesthetics

Artist Ben Elliot and 3D printing specialists Nagami have unveiled the Xchair, a lounge chair that marries ergonomics with metaverse aesthetics. This piece... read more »

Art
3D Printed Xchair: Merging Ergonomics and Metaverse Aesthetics

SWISSto12 and Thales Join Forces for Advanced Antenna Technology

SWISSto12, a Swiss-based company specializing in additively manufactured antenna and RF systems, is collaborating with French firm Thales to develop Active Electronically Steerable... read more »

3D Printing Metal
SWISSto12 and Thales Join Forces for Advanced Antenna Technology

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Modix BIG-120Z Modix BIG-120Z
    600 x 600 x 1200 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-120X Modix BIG-120X
    1200 x 600 x 660 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-60 Modix BIG-60
    600 x 600 x 660 mm
    from $4,900
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Anycubic Photon M5S

    • - Print size: 218 x 123 x 200 mm
    • - 19 micron print accuracy
    More details »
    $599.99 Amazon
    Buy Now
  • Creality K1

    • - Print size: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $519.00 Amazon
    Buy Now
  • Bambu Lab X1 Carbon AMS Combo

    • - Print size: 256 x 256 x 256 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $1,499.00 MatterHackers
    Buy Now
  • 3D Printers for Beginners

    3D Printers for Beginners

    View Post
  • Best 3D Printers 2023 – Buyers Guide

    Best 3D Printers 2023 – Buyers Guide

    View Post

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing