A Major Breakthrough in Robotics and Healthcare: World’s First Mass-Produced High-Sensitivity Robotic Hand Unveiled KellyOnTech
Recently, at major exhibitions, high-degree-of-freedom humanoid robotic hands have made a shinning debut.
This advancement is a significant breakthrough for individuals in need of robotic prostheses and for the development of humanoid robots.
Is it possible to control a robotic hand with your mind?
As early as 2013, a Swedish amputee became the first person in the world to have a prosthesis directly connected to bones, nerves, and muscles through surgery to provide mechanical stability. Unlike previous robotic hands, he can control the robotic prosthesis with his brain. The robotic prosthesis is connected to the control system of the machine through neuromuscular electrodes.
Human hands do more than just hold objects — they also transmit the sense of touch, a vital way we interact with our surroundings. Today, robotic prostheses have evolved to replicate this capability. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in the United States enabled veterans who had lost their arms to experience the sensation of touch, such as feeling the texture of cotton as it wiped across their hands.
This breakthrough uses electrical stimulation to create sensations. A computer sends electrical signals to the nerves in the amputee’s arm, which are then transmitted to the brain, allowing the user to immediately recognize the sensation. These findings were published in Science Translational Medicine.
What is the breakthrough in tactile sensing technology?
A significant advancement in tactile sensing technology is the TS-F+ sensor, introduced by Beijing Tashan Technology at the World Robotics Congress in August 2024. This flexible tactile sensor uses thin-film thermistors to enable multi-modal sensing of pressure, temperature, thermal properties, texture, and sliding motion. Beyond sensing pressure, it also supports material recognition, allowing humanoid robotic hands to perform delicate tasks with exceptional precision.
The TS-F+ sensor boasts ultra-sensitive sliding perception (0.05 mm/second) and ultra-fast response times (4 ms). It can recognize over 30 distinct materials, perceive objects at a spatial distance of ≥ 2 cm, and achieve adaptive force control. This makes it capable of grasping flexible or fragile objects without causing damage, while also securely handling slippery items.
Additionally, Tashan Technology has developed a robot tactile-vision fusion architecture, integrating multimodal perception at the sensory level with high-level robotic decision-making. This architecture supports intelligent grasping strategies, such as fast sliding feedback control and tactile-vision recognition, enabling robots to dexterously handle everyday objects. For example, the system can grasp fragile eggs or potato chips without breaking them and adjust grip strength based on the amount of liquid in a plastic bottle. This innovation represents a major leap forward in robotic dexterity and reliability.
The first mass-produced high freedom five-finger robot dexterous hand is on sale worldwide
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, made a bold prediction at the 2024 All-In Summit on September 10, stating that “the ratio of humanoid robots to humans will reach 2:1 in the future, and global demand for humanoid robots may reach 20 billion units.” If each humanoid robot requires two dexterous hands, the potential demand for robotic hands could soar to 40 billion units worldwide.
Marking a significant achievement in robotics, Zhejiang DexRobot unveiled the first mass-produced high-freedom five-finger dexterous hand, the DexHand021, in China on October 29. This advanced robotic hand is now available for global sales.
The DexHand021 boasts impressive technical specifications, including 19 degrees of freedom, 23 sensors, and a lifespan exceeding 150,000 uses. It can perform 32 out of 33 functional actions of the human hand, setting a high benchmark in robotic dexterity. Moreover, its price is highly competitive. The first batch of 50 units is offered at a trial price of 68,000 yuan (approximately USD 9,300), making it significantly more affordable than its domestic and international counterparts.
This milestone highlights the rapid advancements in humanoid robotics and the growing accessibility of high-precision robotic components worldwide.
Five-Finger dexterous hand system recognized among the “Top Ten First Achievements” at the 2024 Wuzhen Internet Conference
On November 19, Zhejiang DexRobot showcased its humanoid tendon-driven five-finger dexterous hand and its body-mounted intelligent operating system at the 2024 Wuzhen Internet Conference. This innovative technology was named as one of the “Top Ten First Achievements” of the event.
Zhejiang DexRobot has taken a unique approach, inspired by the anatomical structure of human hands. The company has developed a five-finger dexterous hand system that replicates the human-like structure, muscle-driven characteristics, freedom, and mobility of natural hands. Leveraging the cost advantages of domestic production, they have successfully created a mass-producible dexterous hand system with performance that equals — or even surpasses — comparable products on the market.
This breakthrough lays a solid foundation for advancing high-performance, precision-driven dexterous operations and significantly enhances the end-effector capabilities of humanoid robots. It marks a critical step in making sophisticated robotics more accessible and functional in real-world applications.