Researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal have created an affordable soft robotic hand. Soft robots are often challenging to produce on a large scale due to cost and complexity. This new design combines soft actuators with an exoskeleton and can be mass-produced using scalable techniques.
Inspired by Nature
Many robots are made from rigid materials, but nature often incorporates soft parts, too. This new robot hand mimics the appearance and functionality of a human hand while being safer and more cost-effective than traditional robots. It could find applications in testing AI algorithms and assisting with daily tasks.
Promising Results
The researchers used finite element analysis to optimize the design before physical fabrication, reducing costs. The soft robot hand successfully grasped various objects in simulations and experiments, paving the way for more accessible and cost-effective soft robotic systems in the future.
