ETH Zurich robotic hand walks independently across 14 surfaces

Engineers at the Soft Robotics Lab of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have engineered a robotic hand capable of locomotion using its own digits as legs. This development represents a shift toward creating robots with enhanced mobility and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions.

How does the autonomous movement work?

The team did not limit testing to flat planes; instead, they trained the device to maintain balance across varied terrains. The hardware includes an onboard battery, motion sensors, and a compact computer. To achieve self-sufficient movement, researchers employed reinforcement learning within a simulation environment, allowing the system to learn balancing and walking mechanics from scratch.

Performance metrics on complex terrain

In practical trials, the hand successfully crawled over 14 distinct surface types, including carpet, gravel, grass, and metal mesh. It demonstrated robust recovery capabilities, regaining its stance after falling in 21 out of 25 attempts. This statistic highlights the algorithm’s ability to independently manage loss of balance.

Beyond simple traversal, the robot exhibits fine motor control. It can stand on four fingers while using the fifth to press keys on a keyboard, selecting the correct key in 29 out of 32 tries. Additionally, the unit managed to push a small cube across a table surface to a location near a target during experimental sequences.

Rationale for legged manipulation

Researchers argue that granting robotic hands autonomous mobility could unlock new applications, particularly in confined spaces where traditional robotic arms cannot reach. By eliminating the constant need for an arm to hold the hand, a mobile unit can travel to specific locations, inspect or interact with objects, and return upon task completion.

While the visual of a walking hand may appear unusual or unsettling initially, the primary objective remains the advancement of robotics that are more agile and better adapted to the environments they are designed to service.