Lael Odhner in Robots in Depth #45. Sponsors: Carbon Robotics and Aptomica

In this talk

1. 0:30

   A gripper that adapts to its target

   Odhner describes a lightweight, self-contained hand with fingers that move by tendon and also flex passively. It weighs 800 grams and has four motions: three independently controlled fingers and a pivot that repositions them. The design combines active movement with compliance so the fingers can conform to unfamiliar surfaces.

2. 2:15

   Everyday objects over precise industrial tasks

   The hand is designed to grasp common objects without needing their positions measured precisely. Its fingers stay flexible until they close around an object, then the object helps stabilize the grasp. Odhner says this could help with household assistance, disaster relief, and bomb disposal, where robots encounter varied objects such as zippers, snaps, and bags.

3. 9:32

   Starting simple and making the hand available

   Odhner says the team began by asking what a grasp needs to accomplish, then added functions as needed. An early design used one motor and a differential to drive four fingers; the later hand uses four motors and three fingers. RightHand Robotics made its modular Reflex hand available to researchers so they can use, modify, and stress-test it.

4. 14:38

   Choosing applications for a versatile gripper

   A year after starting the company, Odhner said RightHand Robotics was exploring which of many possible applications best fit the technology. The team tried the hand in places such as a farmers market and bookstore to see what it could pick up. He expected more gripper designs to emerge as mobile platforms and robot arms become more common.