Robot Arm Detaches Hand to Grab Distant Objects

Robotic arms, known for their strength and speed, are typically affixed to floors or other structures for enhanced stability, which consequently limits their operational reach. Research conducted at EPFL’s Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory (LASA) aimed to develop a bimodal robotic hand with expanded grasping capabilities, allowing for occasional independence from the robot arm to which it is attached.

The robotic hand, designed to detach and reattach to a robot arm as necessary, is built with the capability to hold objects and move autonomously, similar to the fictional character “Thing” from the Addams Family. Researchers utilized a genetic algorithm, which incorporates principles of natural selection and evolution, along with the MuJoCo physics simulator, to assess the feasibility of various design iterations.

Through these algorithmic and simulation processes, researchers identified the optimal number and position of articulated fingers, which resulted in a five-finger configuration resembling the human hand. The robotic hand features a magnetic connector at the wrist, facilitating autonomous attachment and detachment from an arm.

The hand’s fingers are designed to bend bidirectionally, enabling it to crawl using some fingers while lifting objects with others. This feature also enhances its utility when attached to a robotic arm, allowing it to grasp multiple objects simultaneously without necessitating arm repositioning to maneuver unused fingers.

Additionally, this hand serves not only to extend the reach of a stationary robotic arm but is also significantly smaller than mobile robots like the Boston Dynamics’ Spot. While Spot is equipped with its own robotic arm and grasper, the addition of an articulated, independently operating hand could enhance its ability to explore or analyze confined spaces it cannot physically access.

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