Abstract

Authors: G. Palli, S. Pirozzi, C. May, C. Natale, G. De Maria, C. Melchiorri, G. Vassura

Following an overview presentation on the European research project DEXMART and some of its recent accomplishments, Chris May, a researcher from the Laboratory of Process Automation at Saarland University, will go into more detail about the innovative technologies being developed for the DEXMART Hand.

Aiming at reproducing in some way the grasping and manipulation capabilities of humans, many robotic devices have been developed all over the world in more than 50 years of research on this topic, starting from very simple grippers, often used also in industrial activities, to very complex anthropomorphic robotic hands. However, the reduced functionality and/or reliability of the devices developed so far prevents, together with the cost, their usability in unstructured environments and in particular in everyday human activities. The adoption of design solutions inherited from conventional mechanics and the lack of purposely developed sensors and actuators are the main limitations preventing complete reproduction of human manipulation capabilities till now. Our research activity aims to develop innovative solutions from the point of view of both the mechanical design, the sensory equipment and the actuation for the implementation of anthropomorphic robotic hands with improved reliability, functionality and reduced complexity and cost, considering also aspects related to safety during human robot interaction and paving the way toward the next generation of robotic hands.