Hands in the Real World

Francesca Negrello; Hannah S Stuart; Manuel G Catalano

doi:10.3389/frobt.2019.00147

Hands in the Real World

Front Robot AI. 2020 Jan 30:6:147. doi: 10.3389/frobt.2019.00147. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Francesca Negrello¹, Hannah S Stuart², Manuel G Catalano¹

Affiliations

¹ Soft Robotics for Human Cooperation and Rehabilitation, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy.
² Embodied Dexterity Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.

Abstract

Robots face a rapidly expanding range of potential applications beyond controlled environments, from remote exploration and search-and-rescue to household assistance and agriculture. The focus of physical interaction is typically delegated to end-effectors-fixtures, grippers or hands-as these machines perform manual tasks. Yet, effective deployment of versatile robot hands in the real world is still limited to few examples, despite decades of dedicated research. In this paper we review hands that found application in the field, aiming to discuss open challenges with more articulated designs, discussing novel trends and perspectives. We hope to encourage swift development of capable robotic hands for long-term use in varied real world settings. The first part of the paper centers around progress in artificial hand design, identifying key functions for a variety of environments. The final part focuses on the overall trends in hand mechanics, sensors and control, and how performance and resiliency are qualified for real world deployment.

Keywords: benchmarking; control; design; dexterous manipulation; field robotics; hands; mechanisms; sensing.

Publication types

Review