US scientists create exact mechanical copy of human hand

Robots are becoming more dexterous than ever. This incredibly detailed robotic hand is one of the most accurate mechanical devices modelled on the human body that we’ve ever seen—because it simply swaps bones and tissue for exact mechanical replicas.

Built by researchers from the University of Washington, the hand is modelled on that of a real human: Its skeleton is actually just that, a 3D-printed version of all the bones in a hand created by laser-scanning an actual human being. Those complex pieces are held together with a series of artificial ligaments, replicated by high strength Spectra strings, with laser-cut latex sheets to replicate the soft tissue which makes your joints nicely compliant.

Tendons are also replicated using more Spectra springs, which are sheathed in yet more latex sheets, just as soft tissue surrounds a normal tendon. There’s also a complex laser-cut web of latex used to mimic the extensor hood, which is a strange muscular structure that wraps around the fingers and helps you create torque with your hand. Then, finally, the muscles are replicated using 10 Dynamixel servo motors.
The fact that the hand’s so anatomically correct provides it with an impressive range of motion when controlled remotely. It can also grasp a wide range of objects very easily.

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