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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."

76 of 105 comments (clear)

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

    Would - you - like - some - more?

    1. Re:Cornelius by EdZ · · Score: 1

      A '-1 Misquote' moderation may be necessary.

    2. Re:Cornelius by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That's quite a neat idea for an universal gripping device. However, fingers do more than gripping, and I doubt this robotic hand would be able to be modified easily to do more than gripping. Though there is a possibility - a truly morphing hand that can assume almost any shape. Although I believe this is a long long way from now. A hand with fingers is capable of more than this one. Cool invention nevertheless.

    3. Re:Cornelius by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Maybe robots could have multiple hands -- this one on the left for gripping things, and one on the right with one or more fingers for various actuating tasks. Voila! Pump-action shotguns and robots, what could be better...

      Seriously, though, depends what you want your robot to do. If you're after some sort of domestic servant to clear the table, wash dishes (i.e. load dishes into that purpose-built dishwashing robot you already have), and maybe cook food, there's not a whole lot besides gripping going on. If you're after more technical work, fingers are likely just about as clumsy as this, and you'll just want a quick-disconnect joint so it can utilize a properly adapted soldering iron, impact wrench, or whatever directly as an end effector, with no slipping or fumbling possible. It's only when you get to the do-everything-people-do stage that the versatility of fingers becomes a clear benefit, and frankly it seems we're just as far from that on the software side as we are from a fully-configurable blob-hand in hardware.

    4. 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.
    5. Re:Cornelius by Caerdwyn · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Fyunch(click)

      --
      Everybody gets what the majority deserves.
    6. Re:Cornelius by sempir · · Score: 1

      What the hell do you call a hand with no fingers.....other than, of course, a fingerless hand!

      --
      A closed mouth gathers no foot.
    7. Re:Cornelius by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      (Ruining the joke by trying to look like part of the "in" crowd)

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    8. Re:Cornelius by JackOfAllGeeks · · Score: 1

      If you're trying to replicate a human hand, I think you're looking at the problem wrong. We rely on tools to really get work done -- all the hand does is grip the tool. If we can make modular "hand" attachments for our robots, we cut out the middleman in a way that biological creatures can't really do (yet).

  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.

    1. Re:Wake up and smell the marbles by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

      When you find one can you please let me know?

      Coffee shops here have trouble repeating my order, let alone serving it.

    2. Re:Wake up and smell the marbles by cynyr · · Score: 1

      coffee shops around here look at me weird when I order "coffee, black no cream/sugar". I have found that this seems to be one of the easier drinks for them to make as i seem to get it 99.9% of the time.

      --
      All of the above was encrypted with a Quad ROT-13 method. Unauthorized decryption is in violation of the DMCA.
    3. Re:Wake up and smell the marbles by necro81 · · Score: 1

      As long as the robot doesn't start brewing its hand to make my cup of coffee, I can be flexible.

    4. Re:Wake up and smell the marbles by SleazyRidr · · Score: 1

      I have trouble explaining that I want coffee flavoured coffee, not vanilla or pumpkin or whatever else they're trying to sell.

      --
      Is 1563649 a prime number?
  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?

    3. Re:Lost an arm? by gagol · · Score: 2, Informative

      One fundraiser invited me for dinner some time ago. He had no hands, only two hooks and he was capable of cooking and baking and doing basically everything I could do. His cooking was better then mine though.

      --
      Tomorrow is another day...
    4. Re:Lost an arm? by sempir · · Score: 1

      If they lost an arm where the hell are they going to attach the "hand "?

      --
      A closed mouth gathers no foot.
  5. So thats how... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The Daleks built an empire armed with a zap gun and a plunger...

  6. New Obligatory by DevConcepts · · Score: 1

    Big Bang Theory - Howard's Robot Arm
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Us9jIPwMI

  7. 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.

    1. Re:The future of robotics by countertrolling · · Score: 1

      Well, yeah...

      --
      For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
  8. Well there go my dreams. by Master+Moose · · Score: 1

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

    --
    . . .gone when the morning comes
    1. 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."
    2. Re:Well there go my dreams. by advocate_one · · Score: 1

      wouldn't expand though... but shrink!!!

      --
      Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    3. 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.
  9. Novel and cool by SoupGuru · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That's pretty freaking awesome.

    The real advances toward powered flight were when we stopped trying to imitate nature and go in a different direction.

    --
    What doesn't kill you only delays the inevitable
    1. Re:Novel and cool by cynyr · · Score: 1

      and yet we are now trying to go back towards nature with wing morphing, and those flapping drones and such.

      --
      All of the above was encrypted with a Quad ROT-13 method. Unauthorized decryption is in violation of the DMCA.
    2. Re:Novel and cool by Burning1 · · Score: 1

      Ironically, I was just reading today that the wright brothers developed their innovative control systems after observing that birds pitch the angle of their wings to control their flight.

    3. Re:Novel and cool by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Given that aircraft with flapping wings would probably be difficult to fly, fixed wing aircraft were obviously the easiest way to go, especially with the technology of the time.

      The technology of the time was unsuitable because of materials technology, we couldn't make anything with remotely the same characteristics as a feathered wing. Today we could, but it would be heinously expensive.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:Novel and cool by Burning1 · · Score: 1

      OP uses air-planes as an example of success by deviating from nature. In fact, the opposite is true: the first practical flying machine was developed by mimicking nature.

      I suspect your post is a boiler plate response to any use of the word 'irony,' with no actual understanding of what the word means. You know, like rain, on your wedding day.

  10. Inspired by South Park? by garyisabusyguy · · Score: 1

    The working model looks a lot like the hands they draw for Cartman

    --
    Wherever You Go, There You Are
  11. new robot hand overload types! by nblender · · Score: 1

    hgytjuedsweskloip;kloip;~!@! Translation: "hello!"

    1. Re:new robot hand overload types! by 12ahead · · Score: 1

      That's what they invented Dvorak for....

  12. Old question now answered by Mike+Van+Pelt · · Score: 1

    So, this is how the Dalek's "toilet plunger hand" works.

    1. Re:Old question now answered by Prof.PatPending · · Score: 1

      Yep. In one episode ( a Christopher Eccleston one, I think) a Dalek grabbed some guys head and sucked his face off.

      --
      WARNING: I cannot be help responsible for the above, as apparently my cats have learned how to type.
  13. Vac man? by Geoffrey.landis · · Score: 1, Informative

    Vac man! Is that you?

    --
    http://www.geoffreylandis.com
  14. Killer robots by Vincman · · Score: 1

    One step closer to holding that gun.

    1. Re:Killer robots by Tordre · · Score: 1

      No fingers no trigger pulling action... not exactly a great killer robot,

  15. 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?

  16. Daleks by waterford0069 · · Score: 1

    Suddenly, the Daleks' plungers now make sense.

  17. It still can't love by furgle · · Score: 1

    Now all we have to do is create a robot heart.

  18. It can't do everything by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

    For example, how well would it deal cards?

    Still, quite impressive technology.

    --
    If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    1. Re:It can't do everything by nickersonm · · Score: 1

      It wouldn't deal with cards unless it could grip them by the end. It also can't deal with objects larger than about half it's size. From the original paper:

      The only objects that could not be gripped were those in which the gripper membrane could not reach sufficiently around the sides, e.g., for hemispheres larger than about half the size of the gripper or for thin disks lying flat, or for very soft objects like cotton balls.

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

    Now we know what the center of that Katamari is.

  20. It's a vacuum picker by Animats · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is very clever. Vacuum pickers have been around for most of a century; they first appeared for paper handling in printing presses But they're usually flat, or at best, they have a foam or sponge front, so they can deal with some irregularities in the object being lifted. This is the first one I've seen that can grip around something. The clever part is that the flexible vacuum bag is filled with small objects that keep the bag size almost constant even when vacuum is applied. In operation, I presume it is used by pushing the gripper into wrapping around the object.

    The usual vacuum picker problems apply. If only part of the bag (which has a pattern of small holes) is in contact with the object, the rest of the bag leaks. So the vacuum system has to extract a lot of wasted air to keep the pressure inside the system low. This limits the strength of the grip. It's also going to be noisy, probably about as noisy as the business end of a vacuum cleaner.

    This definitely has applications in industrial automation where soft objects are being handled. It may be useful for fruit picking and clothing assembly, which are still too labor-intensive.

    1. Re:It's a vacuum picker by nickersonm · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's not actually a vacuum picker: the gripping comes mostly from the change between unpacked and tightly packed granules inside the bag, somewhat like a non-Newtonian fluid. The idea is that the bag forms around an edge or partial circumference and then tightens enough to pick it up. The original paper's abstract describes it better than the sciencemag article about it:

      Individual fingers are replaced by a single mass of granular material that, when pressed onto a target object, flows around it and conforms to its shape. Upon application of a vacuum the granular material contracts and hardens quickly to pinch and hold the object without requiring sensory feedback. We find that volume changes of less than 0.5% suffice to grip objects reliably and hold them with forces exceeding many times their weight. We show that the operating principle is the ability of granular materials to transition between an unjammed, deformable state and a jammed state with solid-like rigidity.

      There is sometimes an additional suction force assisting the gripper, but this is a suction-cup type action, not a vacuum pump action. The involved forces, from page two of the paper:

      We find that this strength is due to three mechanisms, all controlled by jamming, that can contribute to the gripping process: geometric constraints from interlocking between gripper and object surfaces, static friction from normal stresses at contact, and an additional suction effect, if the gripper membrane can seal off a portion of the object’s surface.

    2. Re:It's a vacuum picker by Ginsu2000 · · Score: 1

      Use static electricity to pick up and turn cards on edge, to deal a pack of cards for example. Static electricity could be used in conjuction with the suction couldn't it?

    3. Re:It's a vacuum picker by david.given · · Score: 1

      If people are interested in the state of the art in industrial automation, they should watch this video. It's a demo reel for ABB FlexPicker robots, used for food processing --- the sequence of a set of robots carefully arranging sausages on a conveyor belt into rows for packaging is particularly impressive. They seem to use a combination of vacuum picking and conventional manipulators depending on the foodstuff (each production line is customised, of course).

      There's lots of other ABB robotics videos, all of which are awesome --- I get the impression they're really proud of their stuff.

  21. ouch! by t2t10 · · Score: 1

    That looks like it would pinch and hurt if a male tried to use it for ... oh never mind.

    1. Re:ouch! by Sulphur · · Score: 1

      Concave and Convex...

      Oh nevermind.

      --

      Once the Daleks took the plunge, the rest was inevitable.

  22. Cool.... but not as versatile as digits. by mark-t · · Score: 1

    While this is fine for many types of many types of solid objects, it wouldn't work so well for picking up porous things like cloth, or almost anything organic such as plants or animals.

    Can it even pick up a potato chip without breaking it?

    --
    File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    1. 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.

  23. First thought Dalek hand. by Nexusone1984 · · Score: 1

    It does short of make you think about the Dalek suction cup.

  24. Obligatory Howard Reference by Mybrid · · Score: 1

    Howard's Mom, 'Howard, I'm going to the store. Which peas should I get to go with the brisket!"

    Howard, "Not NOW Mom! I'm BUSY!"

    Howard's, Mom, "Just what's so IMPORTANT Mr. Smarty Pants that you have to spend all day playing video games in your room. Should you be in school?"

    Howard, "I'm NOT in School Ma!, I work at the University, and for your information I'm not playing games, I conducting very delicate research on the latest robotic technology. Now will you PLEASE leave me alone!"

  25. Doraemon's hands by D+H+NG · · Score: 1

    This sounds like Doraemon's hands. Doraemon is a robotic cat from the future in a 1970s manga.

  26. A sucker at the end of a stick... by wowbagger · · Score: 1

    So, these guys have created a gripper that is a sucker-like object at the end of a stick.

    I think the BBC may be claiming prior art.

    But it does explain how they conquered the galaxy, with only a sucker.

    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  27. Combination of techs by josh_nz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder if it would be possible to co-opt the tech into what are the fleshy pads of the fingers and palms in a human hand, kind of a mini version of the one described. Then you would be able to use it to increase grip but maintain the familiar hand structure; also might be able to use the measurement of the degree of vacuum to detect when to stop exerting the closing force of the 'fingers'. Would be able to help with the 'can crush as steel girder but can't pick up an egg' issue.

  28. Tennis-Ball Cylons by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    Good! When robots take over the world, I can flip them off and they can't flip back.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  29. The Ultimate Dalek Appendage by GJSchaller · · Score: 1

    This, rather than the classic suction cup, is what should be on a Dalek's non-weapon appendage. FAR more versatile!

  30. Finally by tzot · · Score: 2, Interesting

    On the one hand, it's impressive, and a good/fresh idea: flexible gripping without opposable thumbs.
    On the other hand, its use is limited in a world where opposable thumbs and fingers is the norm, and I bet that doorknobs won't be that easy to turn.
    On the gripping hand, it's something that's needed and could/would be cheap technology put in good use; I'm talking about prosthetics, not robots, obviously.

    --
    I speak England very best
    1. Re:Finally by tepples · · Score: 1

      and I bet that doorknobs won't be that easy to turn.

      Which is why governments have been busy outlawing new installations of doorknobs in favor of levers.

  31. hello humna.. by bronney · · Score: 1

    sdfb fweg WEFi dsailubasdib aisdubab;bui sadui;bdbiub;adbba;sd

    sad;oib

  32. Re:The masturbatory applications are endless! by mqduck · · Score: 1

    Name two.

    --
    Property is theft.
  33. Big bang... by pablo_max · · Score: 1

    The really good news is how less likely this new configuration is to produce a "Big Bang Theory" embarrassing situation. At least, one hopes that is the case.

  34. warehouse & dish-washing problems by Max_W · · Score: 1

    Actually it is very interesting.

    Solving the problem of cleaning plates and putting them into a dish-washing machine would have an effect measured in billions, if not in trillions. There are some experimental robots, but they are not robust so far.

    The same about assembling orders in a warehouse. Say, taking a bottle from the shelf and putting it into a paper bag.

    It would free armies of workers from monotonous hard labor, millions of people.

  35. Wow! by dorinmouss · · Score: 1

    Science can make wonder for sure!

  36. prodding action? by red+crab · · Score: 1

    What about actions that require pressing a specific area on a surface; human hands aren't meant only to grip things. This particular robotic hand shouldn't be able to type on a keyboard or perhaps operate a touchscreen type interface.

    1. Re:prodding action? by mujadaddy · · Score: 1

      Why is this always mentioned? It's a ROBOT; I'm sure it can send serial data directly into a cpu...

      --
      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
    2. Re:prodding action? by Philomage · · Score: 1

      Actually, it sounds exactly like it's perfect for a prodding action: dangle the appendage down then draw out the air to turn it rigid. A perfect rod for prodding. If precise control is needed, it could be designed with an overflow tip.

  37. Re:It was the one thing Frank knew... by mujadaddy · · Score: 1

    Intrigued, newsletter, etc. etc.

    --
    Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
    "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
  38. Chibis in general by tepples · · Score: 1

    Or more generally, it resembles how chibi cartoon characters such as the Powerpuff Girls hold on to things.

  39. Dennis Leary On Coffee Flavored Coffee by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 1

    This is great for those who are sick of the terms barrista, latte, or frappa-fucking-cino.

    --
    -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
  40. Moronic summary... by RichiH · · Score: 1

    How dare the submitter imply that any of us would ever go as far as to RTFA... Despicable abomination!

    PS: The video is really nice. Though they cheat by using a slanted glass.