ExoHand: Robotic hand that's worn as a glove for human machine interaction

If uncanny valley (pretty popular limitation of synthetic faces) had pushed you around, then here’s something even larger. The well-known German Robotics Company ‘Festo’ has just conceptualized the latest ExoHand (robotic hand) which introduces a new scope for interaction between machines and humans.

ExoHand robotic hand

But what makes the system stand distinguished? If go by what developers have to say, the incredible-looking robotic hand conjugates delicate touch of a fleshy human and mighty force of a powerful machine. Devised using premium components, the ExoHand can be conveniently worn like a glove and employed to enhance the overall strength.

However, the hand prances in two significant structures – whereby the foremost revolves around a glove apparatus whereas the second stretches as a robotic arm itself. But pretty interestingly, the humanoid operator simply budges an arm and a hand in an extremely naturalistic manner, which activates the actuators on the glove.

In fact, almost every degree of movement with human hand gets deciphered into an analogous movement of the robot arm. But, it’s the communication factor that topples as one of the most striking highlights. Force feedback in the glove is what enables the human operator to realize the level of human force to be pushed in. Although the entire mechanism appears to be magnificent, the integrated 8 double-acting pneumatic actuators that rest on each finger simply augment the overall efficacy of the system.

What’s more, the robotic hand can even accomplish delicate tasks that less precise claws and graspers cannot do. However, the developers feel the new machine can further be employed in environments where continuous movement injuries are troublesome for humans. Quite surprisingly, rehabilitation for brain damage or stroke patients has also been proposed.

Though the latest ExoHand human-machine interaction gives a glimpse into a promising future, it might be a bit too early to say anything about its commercial availability. Nonetheless, the cost would likely to be prohibitively high.

Via: Festo