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Robotic Hands Grip Without Fingers

Posted by Soulskill on from the please-don't-send-this-to-japan dept.

sciencehabit writes "Physicists have designed a robotic hand that doesn't have fingers, yet can still serve drinks and draw pictures. The hand is a thin, rubber sack filled with coffee grains or small glass spheres. When it comes into contact with an object, a small pipe sucks air from the sack, causing it to contract and mold to the object's shape. As long as the gripper can fold about one-fourth of the object's surface, it can pick up just about any shape thrown in its path. The article includes a video of the hand in action."

13 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. Cornelius by bhcompy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Would - you - like - some - more?

    1. Re:Cornelius by Qzukk · · Score: 3, Funny

      So if you wanted a multi-purpose robot, you'd have three hands: on the "one" hand you'd have a single-purpose attachement, on the "other" hand you'd have fingers for manipulating things which didn't have a matching attachment, and then you'd have the "gripping" hand...

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
  2. Wake up and smell the marbles by by+(1706743) · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...can still serve drinks...filled with coffee grains or small glass spheres.

    I think I'll pass...I'd rather have a barista who doesn't confuse coffee with marbles.

  3. The Future is Here by Godskitchen · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh shit, it drew a square!

  4. Lost an arm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Having a moldable hand that could hold a fork or swipe a credit card could drastically improve the quality of life for the tens of thousands of patients in the United States who have lost an arm.

    Why can't they use their other arm?

    1. Re:Lost an arm? by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Funny

      They're not ambidextrous, you insensitive clod!

    2. Re:Lost an arm? by AfroTrance · · Score: 2, Funny

      What happens when they need to watch porn?

  5. The future of robotics by bmk67 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Physicists have designed a robotic hand that ... can ... serve drinks"

    The future of robotics is bright indeed.

  6. Re:Well there go my dreams. by couchslug · · Score: 2, Funny

    "No more fantasies about robotic hand-jobs in the future now."

    It WOULD, however, make a magnificent penis implant.

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  7. An excerpt from... by Anachragnome · · Score: 3, Funny

    An excerpt from an Investors Presentation...

    Presenter: So, as you can see, this technology is leaps and bounds more sophisticated then the current technology. The advantages for amputees cannot be overstated, the device allows for the easy grasp of such items as food utensils, telephones in time of emergenc...

    Investor: Excuse me. A question. Would an amputee be able to open a wallet?

    Presenter: Well...I, ummm. I think that might be, well, a bit difficult as the tech stands, in it's current form...but..

    Investor: What about a credit card? Could they swipe a credit card? Could they do that?

    Presenter: *sigh* Yes...I suppose they could swipe a credit card. I think that would be possible...yes.

    Investor: How about mortgage documents? Can they hold a pen?

  8. Katamari Damacy by Tordre · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now we know what the center of that Katamari is.

  9. Re:Cool.... but not as versatile as digits. by captainpanic · · Score: 2, Funny

    It cartainly cannot pick a nose... so that robot better not get a virus.

  10. Re:Well there go my dreams. by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 2, Funny

    The real reason dogs lick their balls: they can't make a fist.

    --
    -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.