• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (15): 1-14.doi: 10.3901/JME.2021.15.001

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Multi-fingered Dexterous Hands: From Simplicity to Complexity and Simplifying Complex Applications

CAI Shibo1,2, TAO Zhicheng1,2, WAN Weiwei3, YU Haoyong4, BAO Guanjun1,2   

  1. 1. College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023;
    2. Key Laboratory of Special Purpose Equipment and Advanced Processing Technology, Ministry of Education and Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023;
    3. Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka 560-8531, Japan;
    4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575 Singapore
  • Received:2020-10-28 Revised:2021-02-04 Online:2021-08-05 Published:2021-11-03

Abstract: A multi-fingered dexterous hand is a highly flexible and complex end-effector for robots. Since it can imitate various dexterous grasping and complex manipulation abilities of human hand, multi-fingered dexterous hand has been continuously studied and developed for more than half a century and has attracted extensive attention and received wide expectation from the public. In this paper, the research and development of humanoid multi-fingered dexterous hands are reviewed and analyzed. The complexity of multi-fingered dexterous hand is analyzed from aspects of bionic structures, actuation systems, transmission, sensing, composite/smart materials, and modeling and control. The complexity of multi-fingered dexterous hand is discussed from an applicational viewpoint in three levels:Partial function repetition, agile manipulation imitation, and function enhancement of human ability. Simplified realization of the complex application based on multi-fingered dexterous hand is also discussed. The dialectical relationship between the complexity of multi-fingered dexterous hand and the simplicity of application is illustrated. Finally, the trend and challenges of the multi-fingered dexterous hand research are analyzed concerning bionics, flexible sensing technology, manipulation planning, control strategy, and reducing cost.

Key words: multi-fingered dexterous hands, bionics, flexible sensing, manipulation, modeling and control

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