MIT Researchers Develop Robotic Hand That Can Identify Objects with One Grasp

MIT researchers have developed a new robotic hand that can accurately identify an object after being grasped just once. The three-fingered robotic gripper has high-resolution touch sensing technology built into its fingertips, allowing it to capture visual information about an object's shape through a camera and LEDs that gather information about the object's surface. This design enables the robotic hand to learn all about the object being grasped, with 85% accuracy. The robotic fingers are made of a strong and rigid skeleton that can lift heavy items while encased in a soft outer layer that is gentle enough to securely grip pliable items. The research could have significant implications for the development of at-home care robots designed to assist their elderly users.