Meet the robot with a detachable, self-crawling hand

EPFL researchers unveil the Handcrawler, a robotic hand that detaches and crawls, showcased at a robotics conference.

: EPFL researchers developed the Handcrawler, a robotic hand that detaches and crawls on tiny finger-legs. This innovation was presented at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation. The Handcrawler can autonomously perform a full sequence of detaching, crawling, and reattaching. It enhances robotic capabilities in industrial settings.

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have developed the Handcrawler, a robotic hand that detaches from its arm and crawls using finger-legs. This innovative device was unveiled at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation and is aimed at increasing the reach and versatility of robotic hands in various applications.

The Handcrawler is designed to grasp objects with great strength while also being capable of limited autonomous mobility. The fingers are engineered to bend and contort in multiple directions, allowing the hand to grab multiple objects simultaneously without repositioning the entire arm. This unique feature sets it apart from traditional robot arms, which are usually fixed in place for stability.

Initially controlled manually, the researchers, including Xiao Gao, have developed an autonomous version that can detach, crawl, grab, and reattach using external location tracking. The Handcrawler could significantly enhance robotic capabilities in industrial and manufacturing settings, pushing the boundaries of what robotic hands can achieve.

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