Study shows that a basic machine mimicking fundamental motions can reliably operate beyond the level of a human hand.
The human hand is a dexterous and versatile machine. Scientists have conventionally tried to replicate these traits in robots by copying the biological mechanics of the hand, resulting in complex and difficult-to-control structures. An alternative solution to these challenges was proposed in a new study, published by Wiley in Advanced Science: The BioflexBot, a novel robot that mimics and even exceeds core motions of the hand with a simple design.
Instead of creating a robotic hand with the intricate anatomy of a human hand, the researchers aimed to capture fundamental hand motions with a coiled spring, constraining shell, and basic pneumatic system, using compressed air to control mechanical action. Optimized for precision and range of mobility, the BioflexBot can pinch, rotate, hook, and grasp with just two pneumatic inputs.
The researchers validated that the BioflexBot could replicate these foundational hand motions. To simulate pinching, the BioflexBot successfully manipulated an acupuncture needle and reliably transported liquid using a pipette, completing delicate tasks common in healthcare or laboratory settings. The BioflexBot rotated a bottle cap, rotating almost four times more than a human hand's capability. The researchers showed that the BioflexBot could hook objects such as a toolbox and goggles. Finally, they found that the BioflexBot could securely grasp objects of varying sizes, up to almost 13 times bigger than similar systems.
Beyond reliably mimicking traditional hand motions, the BioflexBot exceeds human hand performance, extending and contracting 3.5 times more than the human hand. Therefore, the BioflexBot can grasp complex objects, reach long distances, deliver objects in confined spaces, and transport multiple objects sequentially. The researchers demonstrated three potential applications for the BioflexBot: inspecting aeroengine blades, completing daily tasks integrated with a humanoid robot, and conducting a chemistry experiment.
These findings suggest that the simple design of the BioflexBot can result in high dexterity at extremely low costs with applications across industries. Future work will translate the prototype to a fully automated platform.
"By harnessing structural and physical intelligence, we pursued a simple design capable of both cross-scale grasping and complex human-like manipulation," said senior author Yingtian Li, PhD, currently of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. "Unlike most robotic hands that replicate the human form, at high hardware and control costs, our approach focuses solely on mimicking the functions, not the shape," said senior author Yang Yang, PhD, of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.
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