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Funky Robotic Hand

seldo writes "The BBC is carrying a story about a funky-looking robotic hand with the full range of 24 hand movements (NASA's best effort so far has 12, apparently). It's supposed to be for the disabled, although a spokesman for the British Council of Disabled People points out that everyday tasks are not really what the disabled need help with anymore. I just want one to play with :-)" Update: 08/08 17:58 GMT by T : You may be reminded of the DIY robot head from several months ago -- a perfect match?

195 comments

  1. ALL RIGHT! by jormurgandr · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally, I can use both hands to browse the net! We'll just have to see how life-like skin they can create...

    1. Re:ALL RIGHT! by Ooblek · · Score: 1

      Yeah, just make sure you calibrate it right before you sit down on the couch in your underwear with a beer to watch football. Scratching at the wrong cal might be a bit uncomfortable.

    2. Re:ALL RIGHT! by artemis67 · · Score: 2

      Just make sure you don't have a kernel panic while using the funky robotic hand or it might turn you into a cranky soprano girl.

    3. Re:ALL RIGHT! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Just hope that it's *ahem*...waterproof.

    4. Re:ALL RIGHT! by WeBMartians · · Score: 1

      Seriously, I wonder if this thing can juggle or deal (and collect) cards? That would be a killer display.

  2. Slashdotted - google cache by screenbert · · Score: 1

    The google cache can be found
    here.

  3. Another step closer... by Gudlyf · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...to Luke's/Anakin's new hand.

    --
    Trolls lurk everywhere. Mod them down.
  4. Funky Star Wars Hand by Strudleman · · Score: 1

    That's incredible! The intense Star Wars freaks are gonna have a field day. I'd imagine that there will be a few people who cut off their hand in hopes of having a Robot hand. Become one with the force, young Jedi.

    --
    Do it doug.
    1. Re:Funky Star Wars Hand by Tablizer · · Score: 2

      The intense Star Wars freaks are gonna have a field day. I'd imagine that there will be a few people who cut off their hand in hopes of having [an Anikan] hand.

      Is the evil sold seperately?

  5. ok, that's it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the pr0n industry has really gone too far this time!! How lazy are you bastards?!?!?!

    First application of new technology is always from the pr0n industry.

  6. fp please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    look, never had one, and I want one. /me wants to be a MAN

  7. COOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So if I wack my hand off I get one of those... SWEET!

    1. Re:COOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whack your hand off, or whack off your hand? Not sure which is better.

  8. Burning karma by Scoria · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I just want one to play with :-)

    Do you, now? :)

    --
    Do you like German cars?
  9. Still too crude by 2Bits · · Score: 2

    It looks fine for make coffee, and I think it's still kinda crude for the 3-finger solution, eh?

  10. Cool! Hands free by jukal · · Score: 2

    You know, talking to a mobile phone while driving without hands-free is going to be banned in Finland too soon. Maybe I could actually buy two of these, the other could hold the phone, and the other could show the middle finger to the legislators while safely keeping both hands on the wheel.

    1. Re:Cool! Hands free by coryboehne · · Score: 1

      yea? Hmm it seems talking TO a mobile phone in america is a good way to end up committed to an asylum....

  11. AND by JazerWonkie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Quadriplegics will finnally be able to give everyone else the finger!!!

  12. Funky looking by sfraggle · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... but can it breakdance?

    --
    were you expecting to see a sig here? perhaps you'd rather see the inside of an ambulance!
    1. Re:Funky looking by phaxkolumbo · · Score: 1

      Yeah! Gives a new meaning to those 'robot moves'...

      Maybe when they can replace my legs as well I can become the king of the dancefloor!

    2. Re:Funky looking by Destoo · · Score: 1

      Just wait! They're currently planning the Solid Gold version, and there's a sexy Titanium model on the way!

      Size: As close as possible to Average Human.
      No, I want it BIIIIIIIIG. (insert Xbox controller joke here)

      --
      Nouvelles de jeux et technologies en français. TC
    3. Re:Funky looking by ThereIsNoSporkNeo · · Score: 1

      Recently scientists have come up with a breakthrough in medical science.

      Under clean lab conditions they managed to distill a small quantity of concentrated funk.

      There is hope for us white guys after all.

      --
      With my dying breath, I curse Zoidberg!
  13. A third hand... by Kith_Me · · Score: 1

    Porn is faster now, as one hand for the mouse, one for the keyboard to toggle pages, and the third for....ummm....ummm.... Holding a pop?

    Not that I would uh need that...uhh... ok, bu-bye..

    --
    "CPU's Don't make mistakes....They just miss a few cycles sometimes..."
  14. Finally!!! by ahkbarr · · Score: 1

    The hand-challenged can wack off with full articulation!

    --
    Compared to war, all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance. God, how I love it. - Gen. George Patton
    1. Re:Finally!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This would go well with a robotic mouth.

  15. Just imagine! by two-bookoo! · · Score: 0

    A robotoic hand, and 7800 DVD's of P0rn... no one is going to leave home....

  16. Pneumatic Muscles by Keighvin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Interesting method of actuation: IIRC, these work in the reverse of organic muscles, in that they are capable only of pushing rather than only pulling. This introduces its own set of limitations but does act quickly to close the gap on basic cabilites engineering.

    Still not useful to those who've lost only a hand as the actuation gizmos do take up quite a bit of space, but certainly an impressive achievement.

    --
    Any spoon would be too big.
    1. Re:Pneumatic Muscles by Weffs11 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Pneumatic cylinders can only push(unless you draw a vacuum). However, it appears that it is not a cylinder, but some rubber hose. Rather interesting I say.

      From the website:

      The Air Muscle consists of a rubber tube covered in tough plastic netting which shortens in length like a human muscle when inflated with compressed air at low pressure.

      The Core of an Air Muscle is a rubber tube.... ....wrapped in a tough plastic weave.... ....which shortens in a scissor action when pulled out, just like a Chinese finger puzzle. As the rubber tube fills with air it is forced to expand

    2. Re:Pneumatic Muscles by Keighvin · · Score: 1

      You beat me to the punch, darnit. I spent too long previewing, I guess. ;)

      --
      Any spoon would be too big.
    3. Re:Pneumatic Muscles by dublin · · Score: 2

      Actually, the basic technology here is not at all new. These are what is know as "McKibben Muscles", first developed for artificial arms in the 1950s. (The link is to a good overview of them from my robotics bookmarks list.)

      They are cheap, strong, compact, and easy to build, but they require a lot of energy in the form of not-too-easily available compressed air or other gas. For this reason, they're not used too frequently for prosthetics since carrying enough gas becomes a problem.

      These have been used to build a number of camplex life-mimicking robots, including many of the better legged walking robots. Check out the this page for an idea of how you can use them in place of real muscles to achieve very lifelike results.

      If you've got a good source of compressed gas, these are an excellent design choice, and probably the only thing we have that can fairly approximate natural muscle at a reasonable cost. ("Muscle wires" like Nitinol require gobs of power and need way too much cooling time to contract to be useful in most applications.)

      --
      "The future's good and the present is nothing to sneeze at." - Roblimo's last ./ post
    4. Re:Pneumatic Muscles by dublin · · Score: 2

      Oh, I forgot to mention - there are decent instructions on the site above telling you how to build your own - they're quite easy, if you want to experiment, although some commercial ones aren't all that expensive, either, but then you'd miss the fun of building your own...

      --
      "The future's good and the present is nothing to sneeze at." - Roblimo's last ./ post
  17. good military uses too by jormurgandr · · Score: 1

    If the fingers/hand have sufficent PSI force, the military could make a hell of a augmented suit for special forces - I can see it now, a marine running through afghan wearing a backpack that has 6 of these arms on it, all with weapons... Sounds like another sequel to Robocop

    1. Re:good military uses too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With the size of that thing, you won't be running anywhere!
      Although, combine that with the repulsor lifts showcased here recently, and you have the building blocks for a Gundam...

    2. Re:good military uses too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exosuit. Run like the wind, bench press cars and have 4 other arms available.

  18. Maybe we're on our way to... by deathscythe257 · · Score: 1

    Skynet and T-800's abound...

    but seriously, this could be a very good for a lot of people. Just as long as Cyberdyne doesn't get they're hands on it.

    1. Re:Maybe we're on our way to... by yelligsc · · Score: 1

      Learn to spell.

      Their. Their Hands.

    2. Re:Maybe we're on our way to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you are going to be spending time correcting someones spelling the least you could do is use correct capitlization. Or how about correct sentance length? "Their" is not a sentance. It just isn't. If you are going to be an ass the least you could do is not screw up your own post.......

      So fuck off!

  19. running linux! by icejai · · Score: 1
    Stock x86 PC running Debian GNU/Linux with RTAI real-time system.


    If someone hacks into this thing, can they make you type what they want? Or make you tickle girls where they don't want to be tickled?

    "I swear Sharon! It wasn't me! It was my hand! Someone hacked into my hand!"

    [exeunt]
    1. Re:running linux! by passthecrackpipe · · Score: 1

      yay! and the controlling software is GPL - I wonder if they will develop the software in the open, besides just open-sourcing it.

      --
      People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
  20. not such a good idea? by PhysicsGenius · · Score: 0
    While I applaud the concern these scientists have for people less fortunate than they, I have to wonder if they've been blinded by society's perception of the handicapped. Most handicapped people I know disdain offers of help and some even go so far as to celebrate their different abilities. I can't imagine any of them wanting to attach a robotic hand to their arm in an obscene attempt to become some kind of pseudo-human simulacrum.

    Maybe future efforts along this vein should include more than just computer scientists and mechanical/electric engineers. Maybe they should have a psychologist or even, *gasp*, a handicapped person on the team.

  21. Industrial/Space uses? by sacremon · · Score: 2

    How about use as a waldo, either in manufacturing or in hostile environments such as space? The 'air muscle' part might need modification for vacuum, but I bet it isn't insurmountable.

    --
    If you can't beat them, embrace and extend them.
    1. Re:Industrial/Space uses? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And perhaps far in the future for long-distance surgery &c.--for when it is hard to stabilize a patient for travel. But they have a great deal of programming to go on it still to make it adaptable to different situations.

      Anyway, no one said this specific model had to be "useful" to anybody--who needs 24 movements for any particular thing? Yet "art for art's sake" having a prototype adds it to the toolbox for future, more specific, less expensive, &c. innovations, i.e. ones that might also physically benefit people.

  22. It runs Debian! by peter · · Score: 3, Redundant

    from the web page:

    Controller:

    * Stock x86 PC running Debian GNU/Linux with RTAI real-time system.
    * Shadow's own GPL'd robot code will be shipped, permitting initial setup and evaluations. PC will have CAN interface provided.

    Hmm, I wonder how well Beowulf works with RTAI :)

    --
    #define X(x,y) x##y
    Peter Cordes ; e-mail: X(peter@cordes , .ca)
    1. Re:It runs Debian! by VivianC · · Score: 2

      Hmm, I wonder how well Beowulf works with RTAI :)

      Thanks alot. You just caused me to conjure up the mental image of fifty of these buggers doing the hand jive.

      --
      Viv

      Gmail invites for ip
    2. Re:It runs Debian! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it's called "Shiva" (http://www.cold-print.freeserve.co.uk/SHIVA.gif)

      Artaxerxes

  23. Possessed by PD · · Score: 1

    This hand is possessed by Debian Linux. Take THAT, Evil Dead!

  24. Ash says... by phillymjs · · Score: 2

    "Groovy."

  25. They use Debian / GPL code by littleRedFriend · · Score: 1

    From the company site


    * Stock x86 PC running Debian GNU/Linux with RTAI real-time system.
    * Shadow's own GPL'd robot code will be shipped, permitting initial setup and evaluations. PC will have CAN interface provided.

    --
    IANAL, but imagine a beowulf cluster of in Soviet Russia all your belong are base to us welcoming the new SCO overlords.
  26. I don't need the whole hand... by Toasty16 · · Score: 1

    ...I just need a couple of fingers, ever since the unfortunate "accident." Anyone wanna guess why my name is Toasty16? Winner gets a jpeg of my hand, pending licensing talks with Forgent Networks...

    1. Re:I don't need the whole hand... by Big_Breaker · · Score: 1

      Did you bridge 220V with your index and middle finger?

      I once put my index finger and thumb between the points of an arc cutter....

      Fortunately the spark tunnelled across the skin rather than carbonizing my finger tips. Obviously I didn't know until later what it was...

    2. Re:I don't need the whole hand... by Weffs11 · · Score: 1

      Tried to OC your toaster to toast bread in 6 seconds, only to have an ufortunate accident with the Nos?

    3. Re:I don't need the whole hand... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      im guessin ya burned off 4 digits ;)

    4. Re:I don't need the whole hand... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did it have anything to do with a lighter and a can of hair spray or WD-40?

  27. Slashdotted... by X86Daddy · · Score: 1

    Here's the Google cache.

  28. Alt+Ctrl+Del by Tablizer · · Score: 1, Troll

    Now the disabled can reboot Windows by themselves instead of waiting for a BSOD.

    1. Re:Alt+Ctrl+Del by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That doesn't make any sense. Nor would it be funny if it did.

    2. Re:Alt+Ctrl+Del by yeoua · · Score: 2

      You know, most computers nowadays have a reset button on the main box... and its just 1 button.

    3. Re:Alt+Ctrl+Del by Tablizer · · Score: 2

      (* That doesn't make any sense. Nor would it be funny if it did. *)

      Okay, how about remote NT administration?

    4. Re:Alt+Ctrl+Del by CableModemSniper · · Score: 1

      You insentive jerk. My PSU is dead damn you! dead!

      --
      Why not fork?
  29. Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by cmstremi · · Score: 1

    I wonder if they chose this configuration because it was the best (has evolution gotten it exactly right already?) or because it's familiar.

    1. Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by Mister+Black · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Our world is designed for one standard hand of 4 fingers and a thumb.

      --

      You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.
    2. Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by armyofone · · Score: 1

      From the article...
      Should be capable of a full range of human grip postures and thus capable of using tools designed for human use

      I would say this is why they chose this configuration. Not necessarily because it's *the best*, (although it might be), but because it emulates the human hand. And why not? It's familiar to the users.

      --
      "A revolution without dancing is... a revolution not worth having"
    3. Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by Tired_Blood · · Score: 1

      I wonder if they chose this configuration because it was the best (has evolution gotten it exactly right already?) or because it's familiar.

      It has to be that they just went with what is familiar. Just because something evolved, or is in the process of evolution, doesn't mean that it's the best.

      I greatly appreciate that you're questioning whether the humans anatomy is imperfect. There are a lot of examples of where evolution has helped but, by following the path of evolution, cannot be perfected.

      The best example I can think of is the human eye. You think we see pretty well, huh? If you look at the retinal cell layering as seen here you can plainly see that light sensing cells are slightly obscured by the neural cells. Those neurons (labeled ganglion cells in the image) have to eventually lead out of the eyeball, which is the reason we have a blind spot in each eye. We would see images much better if the neural cells were BEHIND the light sensing cells, but this can NEVER occur by simply evolving from what we already possess. It would take a revolution in eye development for that to happen. All mammals have this road block (I'm not sure about the nautilus and other odd creatures with non-lens eyesight). The site linked above also lists other reasons why we don't have full potential of our eyesight (sharper images), but AFAIK those have the potential of being perfected through evolution.

      --
      This is not my sig.
    4. Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by cmstremi · · Score: 1

      And most computer run Windows. Open up your mind a little.

      The pink is pretty useless. Maybe a thumb on both sides of the 'palm' would mean less maneuvering to position the hand to it's needed state. Maybe a palm that folds and fingers that rotate 360 degrees. Perhaps a finger at the bottom of the palm.

      There's no reason that these design changes would make the new machine useless with things designed for human hands.

  30. Cool... by yeoua · · Score: 2

    First... this is from the article, and silly: "It's unfortunate that disabled people are constantly used as a reason for inventing new gadgets "

    Wasn't there a quote like... Necessity is the mother of all inventions? Well disabled people are just that, disabled. They have something that limits them from doing eveything they want, so why not build stuff to allow them to do what they want. And this is unfortunate?

    And is it just me, or does this arm thing seem to opperate autonomously? It doesn't seem like its going to be a prothetic that you control, but more like some helper thing that responds to what you want it to do. Well, i suppose that is the better way since controlling the hand would be rather difficult without some kind of direct link into your existing muscles, or nervous system, and even then, it may take quite some time to master. But i'd assume most people would want to control it themselves, rather than have it do what the programming tells it to do.

    1. Re:Cool... by ngaFC · · Score: 1

      ... so why not build stuff to allow them to do what they want ... ... i suppose that is the better way since controlling the hand would be ...

      OK, the above quotes are slightly out of context, but they illustrate the important point is that if you're gonna build stuff for people with disabilities you need to so in consultation with your end-users. Nowhere on the manufacturer's site is there any mention of disability or consultation with the disabled community.

      As a disabled person, I'd agree with the BCDP spokesman who said it is unlikely that the robotic hand will be of any use as an assistive device for the disabled.

      Most succesful assistive devices are simple, cheap and fulfill a specific reqirement. The human hand is immensely difficult to model. It has both fine and gross motor capability as well as a complex feedback system of heat and touch sensors. To be functional, an assistive device does not need to replicate all this complexity.

      It is more likely that the hand could prove useful as a research tool - for example as a test-rig for those developing techiniques of electronic stimulation to muscles in paralysed hands.

      the revolution is just a t-shirt away - billy bragg

      --
      /nga E 28 03 S 25 57
    2. Re:Cool... by dogwonder · · Score: 1

      Hi - just to let you know that the Shadow Robot company has a guy in a wheelchair that is working for them - so you could say there was some consultation.

  31. So Close to Perfection by portege00 · · Score: 1

    All it needs now is a built in vasoline dispensor and every pr0n freak will want one!

    BTW, how's this thing's wrist movement?

    --
    Trolls make great pets. Adopt one today!
    1. Re:So Close to Perfection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      BTW, how's this thing's wrist movement?
      Wrist:
      • 2 degrees of freedom.
      • Flex: -90 .. 45 degrees
      • Palm ad/ab: -10 .. 45 degrees
    2. Re:So Close to Perfection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but then there's this...
      Speed: About half speed of a human.

    3. Re:So Close to Perfection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And this is a disadvantage because?? :P

  32. HA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My robotic penis has 72 independant movements!

  33. Addendum by Keighvin · · Score: 1
    I was in error: these are tubes which expand *outward* when the air is compressed (to respond to the increased volume), thereby shortening the length of the overall 'air-muscle' and providing contraction.

    From the site (airmuscles.shtml @)
    :
    The Air Muscle consists of a rubber tube covered in tough plastic netting which shortens in length like a human muscle when inflated with compressed air at low pressure.

    This method could probably be expanded on using more complex configurations (hydrolic cross-latticed tubing) to yield greater strength, as well.
    --
    Any spoon would be too big.
  34. When the poster said.... by mblase · · Score: 2

    "...everyday tasks are not really what the disabled need help with anymore. I just want one to play with :-)"

    ...I don't think that was the intended meaning.

  35. Slashdotted by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mirror here:

    http://www.waiknott.com/mirror/robot.htm

  36. read the article? by fantomas · · Score: 2

    Hmm, maybe read the BBC article.... your point is covered already...


  37. These are different. by FreeLinux · · Score: 3, Informative

    The type of pneumatic muscle that you refer to use a pneumatic piston. These work differently. These muscles use a pneumatic bladder that, when inflated, cause the muscle to contract. This is the same behavior, or the same effect, as real muscles.

    My thought is that the cycling of these pneumatic muscles will probably be somewhat noisy. There would be a hissing and poping sound from them as the inflate/deflate and the control valves are operated. I suspect that by using hydraulic muscles instead would be far quieter and would probably offer the device greater strength. The immediately obvious drawback to this is that the hydraulic method would likely have slower response times than the pneumatic version.

  38. Okay, but how do you move it? by Dreamweaver · · Score: 2

    I know it says it's controlled by Debian and their GPLed robot code (requisite geekly 'whee!'), but how do you actually Use the thing? Do you have to be plugged into a computer and whacking away at a keyboard with your real hand to make the artificial hand move? Do you have to pre-program movements for it? I looked for it on the page, but darned if I could find it.

    --


    "If a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live" -- MLK, Jr.
  39. At last... by CommieLib · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can build my haptic feedback arm-wrestling simulator.

    --
    If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.
    1. Re:At last... by Garridan · · Score: 1

      Did you take a look at that hand? I think the wrist would break... think The Fly meets Terminator.

    2. Re:At last... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      Havn't you ever seen those arm wrestling simulators at arcades? Granted it doesn't have articulated fingers, flexible wrist or flexible elbow, but it's an old idea.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
  40. Extra set of balls? by dnoyeb · · Score: 2


    "another hand and an extra set of balls."

    John Candy,.
    Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

  41. Ever Read by PMadavi · · Score: 1
    Lives of the Monster Dogs?

    We're gettin' there baby, we're getting there.

    --

    --What, you ain't know about them country fried sessions?

  42. Sex for Gimps by Bonker · · Score: 2

    The BCDP is pretty much spot on for 'everyday tasks'. With current technology, and if laws are obeyed with respect to disability access, even the most severely handicapped persons can bathe, eat, work, and sleep with relative ease.

    What many people fail to realize is that many disabled persons can't enjoy some of the finer aspects of life. Namely, getting it on with a member of the opposite sex.

    I think that many researchers would be surprised at how pleased the benificiaries of their research would be if they would concentrate more on doing things like developing unobstrusive and comfortable devices that would allow those who are paralized, or of abnormal shape to enjoy sex like an able-bodied person. Also of need is research on sensory stimulation for those who have lost feeling in that part of their body.

    Many female paraplegics, even if they haven't lost feeling in their lower half, have lost the ability to self-lubricate. For many of thse women, KY or Astroglide is not sufficient or not even an option. Research into non surgical ways to help women lubricate would not only benifit these women, but thousands of others who cannot self-lubricate for other reasons.

    --
    The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
    1. Re:Sex for Gimps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Disable people shouldn't be having sex in the first place - do you want them to breed and spread more disable genes into the world? Eugenics got a bad rap the first time around, we should be focusing on research into that.

    2. Re:Sex for Gimps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aw come on thats what birth control is for. At least let them have some fun.

  43. Google cache by CommieLib · · Score: 2
    --
    If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.
  44. All actuators and not much control by Animats · · Score: 2

    The Shadow people have been building nice actuators for years now, but then have trouble controlling them. They have an elaborate biped, but it can barely stand up and can't walk. (They're trying to use a fuzzy-logic controller, which the controls community has mostly discarded.) The hand apparently has positional feedback, but not force feedback or touch (although, using their air muscles, you can play with the compliance a bit.) So you can't actually do much with their hand.

  45. prog rock musicians by phaxkolumbo · · Score: 1

    I could imagine a couple of progressive rock musicians (mainly drummers, for some reason, go figure) who'd probably want one.

  46. Hand Movements... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Does one of the 24 possible movements include flipping the bird?

  47. perfect for commuters by Tablizer · · Score: 2

    (* Quadriplegics will finnally be able to give everyone else the finger!!! *)

    I am starting to get repetative motion pain from my abundant "commuting guestures". If I can automate the process with a hand like this, then my fingers can rest.

    (Kirk should have just such a button on his chair, BTW. I want to see an uncensored version of Trek where Kirk tells Khan how he *really* feels. "Scotty, direct all power to the Main Finger!")

    1. Re:perfect for commuters by JazerWonkie · · Score: 1

      Kirk: Scotty raise the finger higher. Scotty: I'm given 'er all she's got capt'n any more and the knuckles will explode!! (Shameless Star Trek parody)

    2. Re:perfect for commuters by Tablizer · · Score: 2

      Kirk: Scotty raise the finger higher. Scotty: I'm given 'er all she's got capt'n any more and the knuckles will explode!! (Shameless Star Trek parody)

      "Scotty, forget the Impulse Finger! It is not working. Redirect all power to the Photon Phaser Phinger instead!"

      "But Sir, that would drain too much power from the Ionic Woopy Cushion."

      "Scotty, I gave you an order!"

      "Ay ay, Sir! Photon Phaser Phinger it is."

    3. Re:perfect for commuters by sheetsda · · Score: 2

      Here ya go. And this one's much cheaper.

  48. Didn't I see one of these... by mblase · · Score: 2

    ...playing a piano near the beginning of the movie "Short Circuit"?

    Cool product, but of course it won't be of much use to the disabled until they figure out how to directly replace the missing hand/arm with this one. The article says "it will have a hand and arm on a moving base, with remote control and camera systems, so the user can guide the robot through simple tasks" -- but speaking only for my (fully limbed) self, that's not what I'd want. I'd want something that can be used like my old arm, not floating around on rollers like some cybernetic Thing.

  49. I'll take the head over the hand anyday by dnoyeb · · Score: 2

    I'll take the head over the hand anyday...

    1. Re:I'll take the head over the hand anyday by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Me too.

      Oh. the head over the hand. Never mind.

  50. Lazy man's guide by SkipToMyLou · · Score: 2, Funny

    The lazy man's guide to building a computerized android hand:

    Step one - Find an android.
    Step two - Decapitate said android.

    1. Re:Lazy man's guide by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      so then you have his head.. where does the hand come in??

    2. Re:Lazy man's guide by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      step three = Profit?

    3. Re:Lazy man's guide by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Throw the head away and keep the rest, including the hands.

  51. ruh roh... by NoFX · · Score: 1

    KERNEL PANIC... can't... move... hand...

  52. Good news for disabled Sicilians by TekkonKinkreet · · Score: 2
    Don chop off your fingers with pruning shears? Nothing could be more frustrating than trying to say "Me lo sono lavorato di sopra e di sotto!" with those crappy NASA hands! And Ehi tu, vieni qui! (Ascolta!) ? Fagedabowdit!

    Well relax, your problems are solved. We'll have you talking like a native (again) before you can do ASL for "technology to the rescue!"

    (With apologies to the entire population of Italy and those of Italian extraction, and, well, everyone everywhere. I'm just a dumb Mick, don't whack me!)

    1. Re:Good news for disabled Sicilians by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That list of Italian gestures is way inaccurate and incomplete.
      Their translation sometimes was wrong too.

  53. disabled angle for funding... sad.. by fantomas · · Score: 2

    Interesting to note that the article's angle is on an augmentation for disabled people, while their website doesn't have this as a prime focus. I guess they are well aware this angle is their best bet for funding.


    Blue sky projects are just tough to fund, I suppose (though I would be interested to know how they've funded their research over the last 10 years on air muscles).



    I guess the military are much more predominant in the USA, hence everybody's immediate reaction "they should ask the military for money, these things would help us kill more people and the army would fund that" ...sigh... I remember my great disillusionment when I was told that MIT was funded to the hilt by the military...


    Damn shame we can't find ways of funding more interesting experimental research, that we need short term benefits. These guys are excited by getting 75,000 pounds, for goodness sake, that's probably the cost of a day's drinking water on the Shuttle.

    1. Re:disabled angle for funding... sad.. by marcsiry · · Score: 2

      Oh, so this is the Slashdot article where we generalize about everyone in a particular country- thanks for letting me in on it.

      I guess a European's reaction would be, "How could we use this to further delay action while genocide is occurring in our own back yard?"

      The US military drives lots of research because they aren't motivated by profit. Some of the more interesting things in the world have come out of military funding- like this Internet thingy you're using to slam USAsians with.

      I guess this is an offtopic, trolly flamebait.

      --
      Marc Siry || interactive media professional, motorcycle enthusiast ||
  54. A bit overkill? by daddymac · · Score: 1
    From the BBC Story:
    It is hoped the programming needed to make a prototype arm which can fetch a drink could be completed within a year.
    OK. So here's the world's most advanced robot hand, and it's going to fetch a drink. This doesn't seem like something a disabled person would need, this seems like something an extremely lazy person would need. Yes, it's an extremely interesting hand
    --
    If something I said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.
  55. My dad's funky robotic hand by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    OK, back when I was about 8-10 years old (can't remember exactly), I got obsessed about building a robot. It simply had to be done, and I pestered my father (an electronics engineer) mercilessly about it. He tried to explain that it was just NOT a simple project, but I wouldn't listen.

    Finally, I wore him down, and "we" (meaning him, and I watched) built a robotic hand. It was actually pretty clever, considering the primitiveness of it. The thumb, index finger and middle fingers were completed before I FINALLY lost interest and saw that it wasn't as easy as I thought.

    He basically used some steel pipe that he filed into joints, and used springs to return the fingers to the outstretched position. A cable running through the pipe connected to the end of the finger tips caused them to contract.

    Unfortunately, the middle finger broke off at one point, and has been lost. For the first time on the web, here are some pictures. It was made a little under 30 years ago or so. I should have taken a picture of the fingers contracted, but I didn't think of it until now. Maybe I'll go back and add one. :)

    My father died about 10 years ago, but this is one my most treasured possessions. It's a testament to the fact that he seldom blew me off when I was interested in something, and did his best to help me (and I probably deserved to be blown off for this request!)

    --
    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
    1. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      thanks for that extra-special glimpse into your life...

    2. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 2

      Sheesh! Geocities sucks. I can't believe I got THAT many visitors that fast, but it's already "over the limit". Well, I'll think of somewhere else to put the pictures (unless someone would like to mirror them for me...)

      --
      Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
    3. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 2

      OK, I actually spent FIVE DOLLARS of my hard-earned money to set up a real web site (WHAT??? PAY FOR SOMETHING ON THE WEB YOU GOTTA BE FREAKIN' KIDDING ME...)

      Check it out here. Sorry for the ugliness...

      --
      Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
    4. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      You slashdotted your new host. I bet tomorrow they raise their rates.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    5. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 1, Interesting

      What a cool dad! My dad was a bastard...TV remote in one hand and a stiff leather belt in the other. He used to get all bent out of shape when I would take the motors out of stuff to build different, original stuff. He was too thick-headed to see my potential. I'm now a mechanical engineer who makes more a year than he does and he can't stand it. Sometimes I buy stuff just to smash it and use parts for something else. I am a mad scientist in my basement just to spite him.

      --

      -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

    6. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by magicslax · · Score: 1

      Thank you for putting those online.

    7. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Apparently your dad is a moderator on Slashdot. :)

      --
      Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
    8. Re:My dad's funky robotic hand by Dan+Crash · · Score: 2

      What a great memory to have. A father & son working on a robot together. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing that.

      --
      He who refuses to do arithmetic is doomed to talk nonsense.
  56. Chainsaw by bembleton · · Score: 1

    Bionic hand, bah. I'll stick with my amputee-modified chainsaw.

    1. Re:Chainsaw by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's nothing without a good boomstick.

      Shop smart, shop S-mart.

  57. Human assistance by Demon-Xanth · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "Disabled people are quite clear that we need adequate support and personal assistance which is flexible.

    "This is not only to do the basic tasks, but also to do other, more sophisticated tasks, which are essential to our well being, such as getting out of the house, meeting new people and having genuine control over our daily living."

    The problem with this quote is basically it's saying "Disabled people need slaves". Last I checked there's not a large pool of reliable, trustworthy people that want to become slaves. My grandpa has gone excessively senile and my grandma has to do everything for him. Now, I love my grandpa, but I'd never be able to stand having to be on call 24/7/52 whenever he needed anything. What these "gadgets" ARE good for is working towards the next best thing: independance. Being able to do everything you want to do under your own initiative instead of having someone else do it. Leaving the house and meeting friends when you want to, and not having to convince, or order, someone else to.

    Lets face it, you can't manufacture human slaves. At least not in the US :)

    --
    If you think education is expensive, you should try ignorance -- Derek Bok, president of Harvard
    1. Re:Human assistance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, in the US you don't manufacture slaves you just import them from over the southern border.

    2. Re:Human assistance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      No, in the US you don't manufacture slaves you just import them from over the southern border.

      Would you rather be poor as dirt in Texas or poorer than dirt in northern Mexico? (That's not a trick question.) The critical difference here is that it's the immigrant's choice. I've never seen a *good* plan for making the poor "un-poor" other than them pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, so if you've got one be sure to let us all know.

      The only alternative "solution" I can think of for the border situation is something like Australia's indonesian penal colony, and I don't really see that as an improvement.

    3. Re:Human assistance by 2Flower · · Score: 2

      Speaking as an authentic disabled person, I'd say that robots are snazzy and neat and cool and not really going to make a major difference in most disabiled folks lives. A simple matter of little gadgets or tricks and techniques has covered the "day to day living" gap nicely for me using stuff I could find at a dollar store or have made for me by bending plastic into various shapes and stuff.

      So I see the guy's point that inventing these things 'for the disabled' isn't particularly spectacular.

      What disabled folks need more than robots are things that you can't easily fix or build... laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (to establish equal footing and allow even for simple things like curb cuts in sidewalks) to solutions to social hurdles and social perceptions. Those are the bigger, more critical issues. Being able to brush your teeth in the morning is just a matter of finding the right trick; being able to hold a job and interact with your peers without hassle is considerably more complicated.

    4. Re:Human assistance by kisielk · · Score: 1

      "This is not only to do the basic tasks, but also to do other, more sophisticated tasks, which are essential to our well being, such as getting out of the house, meeting new people and having genuine control over our daily living."

      Does that mean most slashdot readers can be considered disabled too? Sweet! Much easier to find parking now :p

  58. Adam's Family by Apocalypse111 · · Score: 1

    It can't yet be attatched to a person, so what they're essentially saying is that they have come up with a robot replacement for the Adams Family's pet, Thing the Hand...

    --
    There is no mod option "-1: Disagree" for a reason. "Overrated" is not an acceptable substitute. Post something instead.
  59. Can anyone say... by ganiman · · Score: 0

    Terminator 2? This is only the beginning...

    --
    geek n performer who performs morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken
  60. I can see it now... by krugg234 · · Score: 1

    ...a robotic future with hundreds of people acting like Dr. Strangelove. "It would not be difficult mein Fuhrer! Nuclear reactors could, heh... I'm sorry. Mr. President."

  61. Not really that new, is it? by EvilStein · · Score: 2

    My old art teacher ("Stelarc) in high school was doing this kind of stuff in the late 1970's. here is a photo of him with it. This arm would fully duplicate whatever one of his own arms was doing.

  62. why so many wires by oliverthered · · Score: 2

    couldn't they run a few power lines and a digital signal to an intergrated controler instead of all those wires?

    --
    thank God the internet isn't a human right.
    1. Re:why so many wires by displacer · · Score: 1

      I suspect that most of those "wires" are actually pneumatic lines and you can really reduce the number of them unless

      1) The air supply is in the arm.
      2) You can make or find air solenoid values small enough to fit inside the arm.

      There is probably a huge amount of support equipment they don't show you to supply and control the air flows.

  63. Who the fsck is he? by SkyLeach · · Score: 2

    to decide what the disabled need? My wife is disabled, and a fully articulated prothesis with a neurokenetic interface is exactly what she would love to have (as long as it didn't cause pain).

    --
    My $0.02 will always be worth more than your â0.02, so :-p
  64. Doctor Visits by Tablizer · · Score: 2

    Is this going to change the way standard over-40 male medical examinations are done?

    I'm not sure whether such would be an improvement.

    "Microsoft up the Wazoo" would no longer be just a cliche.

  65. Nice by zapfie · · Score: 0, Redundant

    And before we get the posts about "Does it run Linux?":

    Stock x86 PC running Debian GNU/Linux with RTAI real- time system.

    Shadow's own GPL'd robot code will be shipped, permitting initial setup and evaluations. PC will have CAN interface provided.


    So there you go. ;)

    --
    slashdot!=valid HTML
  66. There is not much time left... by red_gnom · · Score: 1

    Quick, somebody destroy it, and the chip, and save the mankind.

  67. Can anyone... by SkyLeach · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Translate this into plain english for those of us who never took physics?

    Strength:

    * Wrist : 1.5Nm
    * Distal : 0.5 Nm (Fingers / Thumb)
    * Proximal : 1.0 Nm (Fingers / Thumb)

    Are we talking million $ man strength here or more like tinkertoy strength?

    --
    My $0.02 will always be worth more than your â0.02, so :-p
    1. Re:Can anyone... by klaviman · · Score: 2, Informative

      according to NASA the mean torque strength for their astronauts is 13.73 Nm. That would be comparable to the 1.5Nm that this robotic hand can do. i think.

    2. Re:Can anyone... by func · · Score: 3, Informative

      Well, say 1 Nm at the proximal end - my index finger is (pulls out digital caliper) is about 90 mm from first joint to fingertip, so that's around 1 Nm/(0.09m)= 11.1 N, or about 1.1 kg worth of force (2.5 lbs) at the fingertip, if the finger was kept straight. Not very much, in other words.

    3. Re:Can anyone... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      It means Newton Meters, it's a measure of torque.

      http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/dictN.html

      A force of one newton will accelerate a mass of one kilogram at the rate of one meter per second per second

      I guess the easiest way to explain newton meters is if the rotating object had a thing sticking out from the axis that was one meter long, it would exert one Newton of force at the end.

      I think we are talking probably about a motor here that is smaller than a small appliance motor, but larger than an R/C type motor, something about as big as your fist.

      Someone correct me if I am wrong, physics was never my strong point.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    4. Re:Can anyone... by RKloti · · Score: 1

      1 Newton meter = 1 Watt

      Why couldn't they've just said that?

    5. Re:Can anyone... by -=Izzy=- · · Score: 3, Informative

      Certainly, these are measurements of torque. Given that we can convert imperial to english.
      Newton metres (Nm) x 8.85 = Pounds-force inches (Ibf in; lb in)

      --
      Wrist: 13.275 pound/inches
      Distal: 4.425 pound/inches
      Proximal: 8.85 pound/inches
      ---

    6. Re:Can anyone... by -=Izzy=- · · Score: 2

      Well, thats hard to say. On Nasa's site they are showing the mean torque to be 13.73 Nm for strength in the forearm, not the hand/wrist. so I guess that leaves the question of "is the wrist 10% the strength of the forearm?"

    7. Re:Can anyone... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      The joule is a unit of energy, the watt is the unit of power, and the N m is the measure of torque.

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    8. Re:Can anyone... by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 1
      If my memory serves me:

      N = kgm/s^2 (Force = mass * accel)

      J = Nm (Energy = Force applied over a distance)

      W = J/s (Power = Energy rate)

      --

      -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

    9. Re:Can anyone... by mph · · Score: 1
      J = Nm (Energy = Force applied over a distance)
      And we're talking about torque, not energy. Torque is still a force times a distance, but the distance is perpendicular to the force. The correct unit is the N-m, not the joule. The fact that they are dimensionally the same doesn't matter; the joule is a unit of energy, not torque.
    10. Re:Can anyone... by klaviman · · Score: 1

      i think it's a moot point, because i can't rotate my wrist without rotating my forearm. can you just turn your wrist without rotating your forearm?

      even though the robot turns at the wrist, you still need to look at the strength of a human's forearm to make worthwhile comparisons.

      it's the desired result that's of concern, whether opening a doorknob or turning a screwdriver, and the method might be different.

    11. Re:Can anyone... by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 1

      Exactly...I was just surprised to see them defined wrong in the previous post.

      --

      -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

  68. It all to do with controle by oliverthered · · Score: 1

    It's easy to make a very realist fully functional hand +arm , out of whatever even thin card or wood.

    the problem is getting all the controle and actuators etc... in there.

    One option would be to rund wires along, like tendons but i doubt that would be suitable for industrial applications.

    --
    thank God the internet isn't a human right.
    1. Re:It all to do with controle by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 1

      In most industrial applications you only need a small subset of the hand's capabilities. Having a bunch of robots putting in one screw is more efficient than having one robot putting in a bunch of screws. It makes for a more speedy assembly (although more assembly space). This hand would be good for a putting in a cheap screw ;)

      --

      -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

    2. Re:It all to do with controle by Mr_Matt · · Score: 1

      This hand would be good for a putting in a cheap screw ;)

      Yeah, and it'd be good for manufacturing stuff, too. :)

      --


      But what does my opinion matter, I just vote here. It's not like I have any money or anything.
  69. Make sci-fi reality... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First I make my own 790 robot head, and now you tell me I can have my very own Mantrid drones too?

  70. Funkay... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is it? I mean, is it FUNKAY, nah? C'mon, I wanna know if it can slap, pull, slide, and rake like a pro, 'n' if it cain't, what good's it fo'?

  71. how to get it to move properly? by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 2

    well - I dont know exactly how the "user" would get it to form the position desired - but one interesting way would be to wear a glove on the oposing hand with sensors that would transfer the desired position to the "Mano-de-Skywalker" - so it would just mimic/mirror the position that the oposing hand is in.

    I know that the "claws" that are worn by some one-armers are opened and closed with movement of the shoulder and shoulder-blades....

  72. screw all this crap by Afrosheen · · Score: 1

    I want a terminator hand from the t1000. The ultimate in cybernetic skillz.

  73. Unfortunate... by Restil · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's unfortunate that disabled people are constantly used as a reason for inventing new gadgets

    Its also unfortunate that the cold war was indirectly responsible for putting men on the moon.

    Its unfortunate that some of the initial research into nuclear power plants was for the development of the atomic bomb.

    Its unfortunate that people die to establish and protect freedom.

    Many of the luxuries we take for granted today were initially created to serve some desparate need. That humanity as a whole benefits from the results of efforts to relieve the suffering of a few, should not be taken to mean that those efforts or results are "unfortunate". Its called progress. Its motivation. Its all about the itch that needs to be scratched.

    And I seriously doubt those who are disabled consider those efforts to be "unfortunate" in any way.

    -Restil

    --
    Play with my webcams and lights here
    1. Re:Unfortunate... by ngaFC · · Score: 1

      Its also unfortunate that the cold war was indirectly responsible for putting men on the moon.

      Its unfortunate that some of the initial research into nuclear power plants was for the development of the atomic bomb.

      Its unfortunate that people die to establish and protect freedom.

      (It's also unfortunate that able-bodied people insist on using disabled only parking spaces.)

      Aleviation of the plight of the disabled should not be the unlooked for side effect of an unrelated course of action, but rather the result of a carefully planned strategy.

      If a portion of the finite research funding allocated to disability issues is diverted from meaningful research to unworkable 'gadgets' like this then I as a disabled person do condider myself "unfortunate".

      --
      /nga E 28 03 S 25 57
  74. Make it 25... by kentyman · · Score: 0

    I want the shocker!

    --
    You know where you are? You're in the $PATH, baby. You're gonna get executed!
  75. two words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    remote handjobs!

  76. Very True by Louis+Savain · · Score: 2

    All the hoopla about sophisticated robot manipulators does not hide the fact they have no idea how they are goping to control these things in real time. Motor control is a very complex process. It will require more than just powerful computers. Manual dexterity is not something one can hand-program into a computer. It will take a general learning system to learn sensori-motor control in a real-world environment. Spiking neural networks have the best chance of solving this problem. Although I applaud their engineering approach, it will be some time before Shadow's hand becomes useful to handicapped.

  77. Lets chip in for one for Mark Pauline by infonography · · Score: 1
    In case you don't know who Mark Pauline is;

    Survival Research Labs was Founded by performance artist Mark Pauline, http://www.researchpubs.com/

    This is the group without whom Robotwars etc, would not exist.

    --
    Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
  78. Best of all... by Captain_Stupendous · · Score: 1

    It runs on Debian (x86)!

    --


    I am alone, yet I also surf the universal backwash of undifferentiated Being, which is LOVE.
  79. welding by Hudjakov · · Score: 0

    I would like to have an optional 3rd hand, my life would be much easier.

  80. uh-oh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Before we know it, we will see a robot from the future speaking english with a german accent!

  81. Not that funky... by cr0sh · · Score: 3, Interesting
    When I think funky, I think "non-anthromorphic" - this definitely doesn't fit that description, though it does seem to be a cool (if a bit pricy) item (especially since there is a site describing how to build those same actuators cheaply).

    No, when I think "funky robot hand" - I always think of that extremely dextrous, three-fingered robot hand that was shown way back in the 1980's on such shows like "That's Incredible" and "Beyond 2000" - I can't find any pictures online of it, though I think it was one of the incarnations of the Utah/MIT Dextrous Hand Master system (I found plenty on the system, but they don't have the same hand I remember). One thing I remember that was most funky about the hand was that the fingers could flex inward and outward, to hold and manipulate large ring type pieces. Each finger had base abduction, and multiple flexing movement - it seemed to be driven by steppers with flexible cables. They had a demo (which seemed staged, and the hand without feedback sensors at the time) showing it handling and manipulating various items - very impressive, fluid, and beautiful to watch in action.

    Does anyone here know of what I am talking about - and can anyone find images? I admit I didn't do a major exhaustive Google search - only delved a few pages in the results...

    --
    Reason is the Path to God - Anon
  82. Grendel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, beauwulf wripped off Grendel's arm. This is eerie thinking.... It'd take a beowolf cluster of what to.... Oh I don't know..

  83. Does it have a speaker? by Zen+Mastuh · · Score: 2

    It should, so it can scream "TALK TO THE HAND!!!"

    --
    "What is the sound of one belly slapping?"
  84. Detachable digits by bughunter · · Score: 2
    From the Shadow Robot Co. page: We are exploring the possibility of making the fingers and thumb detachable. If this is of interest to you, please indicate the fact.

    Hey, why stop there? Why not provide specialized appendages that can plug into the hand in place of the fingers, like pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, milkshake blenders... French ticklers...

    'Course, it does open the possibility of misplacing your digits. Imagine leaving your pliers at home and arriving at work with a buzzing silver bullet for a thumb.

    I hate it when that happens.

    --
    I can see the fnords!
  85. They got the specs from ..... by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 2

    A time jumping hyperalloy combat chassis Terminator series manufactured by SkyNet sent back to 1984 to hunt down and kill the future mother of John Conner, Sarah.

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
  86. Robotic head? by Thakandar2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can see where a robotic arm would be useful for people with atrophied muscles, or who lost a limb.

    But disabled people without heads are called.... dead.

  87. Emulating biology? Why? by sheetsda · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Supposing that one of my hands was missing one of these might be a nice thing to have for everyday applications, but why are we limiting ourselves to emulating biology? why not take our bodies in a drastically different direction? All those nerve endings that used to control the dexterous muscles in a hand could be used for more than just controling a new hand, given a little practise. Back to supposing my hand was missing, I spend a great deal of time typing every day, I'm sure there are more than enough nerve signals flowing through my wrists to create every character on a standard keyboard, but there would need to be an intermediate interpretation/conversion device. With such a device I could keep one hand on the mouse while typing at full speed. Disablity becomes advantage.

  88. Taco's wrist.... by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 1

    Now Taco's wrist wont hurt anymore :)

    --

    -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

  89. Controller runs linux by fire-eyes · · Score: 1

    Neat:

    * Stock x86 PC running Debian GNU/Linux with RTAI real-time system.
    * Shadow's own GPL'd robot code will be shipped, permitting initial setup and evaluations. PC will have CAN interface provided.

    --
    -- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
  90. I'm impressed. by Thag · · Score: 2

    Your dad seems like he was a great guy! My condolences on his passing.

    And, the design is pretty elegant, all things considered. It still looks impressive today.

    Jon Acheson

    --
    All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
  91. Moties! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    On the one hand, on the other hand, ...

    now, we HAVE the Gripping Hand!

  92. So THAT's what those were in Appleseed! by Thag · · Score: 2

    Masamune Shirow, the Japanese artist, uses Air Muscles in some of his mecha designs in works like Appleseed. I could never figure out what they were supposed to be, I just thought they were some kind of unobtanium "artificial muscle."

    I'd post links if I could, but I'm at work.

    Jon Acheson

    --
    All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
  93. oh yeah? by iamiuru · · Score: 1
    find a guy that lost both his hands and ask him what would be the first thing he would do with it would be... and guess what?

    he'd lie to you and tell you that he would like to do blah, blah, blah... and then hug the kids and hold his wifes hands or a load of other BS...

    he'd be going to some porn sites and trying out robotic maria palm and her 5 sisters (yeah, yeah there are hundreds of iterations of that, n/k)...

    just nasty to think that A LOT of people would say "Hey let me be one of the first people to shake your new hand." - knowing better, I would stay the hell away from that hand for a while...

    --
    That is your ass, and this over here is your elbow, and NO they ARE NOT the same thing.
  94. OFFTOPIC Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by vrmlknight · · Score: 1

    jackass who cares, i bet you just finished reading a book on that and though that youd impress someone

    lets go play hide and go fuck your self.

    --
    This must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays.
    1. Re:OFFTOPIC Re:Why 4 fingers and a thumb? by Tired_Blood · · Score: 1

      First: your post smells of a troll.

      Second: yes, the idea came from a book: "Blind Watchmaker", I think is the title. I can't recommend the book since I never read it through.

      Third: for me, 6 years a bit long to have just finished something. As mentioned above, I didn't even finish.

      Fourth: it seems implied that all posts on /. are made to impress someone to some degree. This place is plagued with trolls and "first" posts.

      Fifth: I had seen the question posted more than once (Is the human hand the best model?) in this and figured it needed response and detail, which I was able to provide.

      Sixth:
      lets go play hide and go fuck your self.
      I think it goes, "Dismissal: Why don't you go outside and play hide and go fuck yourself". I'd recommend using that one since the person saying it distances themselves. In your example, "lets" implies that you want to fuck myself.

      --
      This is not my sig.
  95. But can it survive Beat Street? by rhiorg · · Score: 1

    It's gonna be 100 years before some cybernetic fool can compete with my pop 'n lock routine, suckahs!

  96. Excellent. An insulting robot. by Echo5ive · · Score: 1
    "You may be reminded of the DIY robot head from several months ago -- a perfect match?"

    Excellent. Now we can make a robot that can both use harsh language and give you the finger.

    --
    Leveling up builds character.
  97. Artificial muscle links by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The artificial muscle they are using are pretty interesting. Its called the Mckibben artificial muscle and the basic design has been around for a while. Here's a link that gives a basic overview and shows you how to make one:

    Mckibben muscle page

    And here's one where a guy actually integrated it into his lego mindstorms!
    Lego air muscle

  98. Re: Again... by SkyLeach · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Thanks for translating it into Newtonian english for me, but the second part of my question still goes unanswered.

    Assuming unlimited strength at the elbow how much (in jym-room barbell english) can this arm lift and swing?

    --
    My $0.02 will always be worth more than your â0.02, so :-p
  99. When I think Funky by Uksi · · Score: 1

    When I think funky, I wanna get down! But it ain't so wit' this sheit--why you labelin' it like that?

    Does it have a funky groove? Does it move to tha beat? Does move that booty smooooth?

    Nah, it's all mechanical, soulless, lifeless.. it just ain't got tha funk, brutha!

  100. Re: Again... by displacer · · Score: 1

    It is a robot hand, not a robot arm. So, they don't provide any data for the elbow or shoulder because there isn't any. As for the hand, as another poster already pointed out, one of the fingers could lift about 2.5 pounds at the fingertip, not very much. Which is expected because air muscles are not very strong.

  101. "I just want one to play with :-)" by esome · · Score: 1

    PERVERT!

  102. Looks interesting...but isn't by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The shadow project have achieved nothing notable in the field of autonamous biped motion in the last 10 years. Their most advanced creation has yet to stumble more than a couple of steps even when held in its safety harness. While dozens of projects around the world have been spawned, caught up with and then overtaken them ( without a harness ) the shadow project has largely stagnated.

    The hand looks good, but lets see the mpeg of it doing something useful. I suspect that we'll have a long wait.

  103. It was supposed to be... by Herkum01 · · Score: 1

    It's supposed to be for the disabled,

    Thank God! I am finally free! Now maybe that group prostitutes that always are gathering near my house will go away!

  104. You win! by Toasty16 · · Score: 1

    Send me an email at toastman_16@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

  105. Re:It runs Debian! [OT] by ffatTony · · Score: 2

    My last name is Cordes as well. You're not some long lost relative are you? (I do have an uncle Peter :)

  106. Hand in action by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  107. Re:It runs Debian! [OT] by peter · · Score: 1

    I don't think so. My parents are into genealogy, but I don't know how far back they have info on the Cordes side.

    Email if you want to talk about it.

    --
    #define X(x,y) x##y
    Peter Cordes ; e-mail: X(peter@cordes , .ca)
  108. The air supply is in the arm by oliverthered · · Score: 2

    It looked that way from the picture

    --
    thank God the internet isn't a human right.
  109. military issues by fantomas · · Score: 2

    My comments re: the military were primarily aimed at the slashdot posters whose reactions were on the lines of 'cool, we could use this to build military exoskeletons like in Alien' and also the the poster who suggested arming soldiers with six of them on a backpack so soldiers could fight with many weapons at once. Yup, as a European who as you rightly points out has 'genocide in my back yard' I get very sensitive to responses which suggest war or weapons are cool.


    I'm sorry, I just think it's really sad that there are people whose first reaction on seeing new tech is asking the question - I wonder how we could turn this into a weapon? I think it's desperate that we have to be grateful to the military for funding projects, that we have to have discussions on the lines of 'we spent a lot of money producing an improved killing machine and as a minor by-product something useful for people came along' - why not cut out the bit in the middle and just fund things which may be useful?

    I still stick by my statement that it's generally sad that companies have to find a profit angle (e.g. 'help the disabled' -though that's no bad thing) to get research paid for, I wish our countries could be more forward thinking, and it looks like you agree with me on this point

    Regarding the 'genocide happening in our back yard' here in Europe, yes, it is terrible, and I wish we could find a good way of stopping it. I get the feeling that it is more likely to happen through social integration rather than further arms funding, including by supporters from outside countries (support from the US for armed struggle in Northern Ireland could be mentioned here...), and covert encouragement by countries who may make political or financial gains.

    Troll for the day - how come it's all the oil producing countries that people want to go to war with? How come we're not worried about the human rights abuses and terrorist activities by dictators in other less economically significant countries?