Robotic Fingers Take Dexterity To New Level

The Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Lab at Columbia University has developed a highly dexterous robot hand that is capable of manipulating objects with its touch alone, without the need for cameras. The team, led by Matei Ciocarlie, has been working on this project since 2015 with the goal of using the hand for assisting in the home, manufacturing, logistics, and materials handling. The fingers of the robot hand are equipped with a flexible reflective membrane, LED lights, and photodiodes, which allow it to detect objects in darkness. Machine learning algorithms and advanced sensors are helping to advance the development of robotic assembly.