Bionic­Soft­Hand

Year

2018

The idea

The bionic robot hand is a pneumatic soft robotics system with artificial intelligence that enables safe human-robot collaboration.

The objective

The BionicSoftHand can perform various tasks. Sensor technology, control engineering, mechanical components and valve technology are integrated within a very small space.

Technical data

• Finger lengths: 4 x 98 mm/1 x 79 mm
• Degrees of freedom: 12
• Operating pressure: 3.5 bar (fingers)/6.0 bar (swivel modules)
• Load capacity: max. 4 kg
• Skin: silicone
• Housing: 3D-printed material
• Back of hand: 1 inertial sensor
• Fingers: 10 inertial sensors/15 force sensors
• Air routing plate: 14 pressure sensors

Structure

The gripping hand comprises pneumatic structures and soft materials. It is lightweight, readily yielding, adaptive and sensitive – but can perform tasks requiring considerable force.

Reinforcement learning

Rather than being programmed, the robotic hand learns by being given a goal that it attempts to achieve through trial and error. It optimises its actions based on the feedback it receives and by adaption.

Kinematics

The fingers are moved by an elastomer bellows with two chambers that are inflated with compressed air. The rubber bellows are covered in a special 3D textile mesh that restricts expansion in certain directions.

Material

BionicSoftHand