Festo's ExoHand is a robotic glove designed to function as an extension of an individual's hand to provide strength and endurance. It is customized to fit the user by selective laser sintering via additive manufacturing from a 3D scan of the user's hand, and it operates independently as an exoskeleton on a human hand or remotely on a robotic arm.
When worn by a human, the fingers can be actively moved and their strength amplified, as the operator’s hand movements are transmitted to the robotic hand in real time. The polyamide exoskeleton supports the human hand and mimics its movements, while giving them additional force. With force feedback -- an aspect of haptics, or tactile feedback technology -- the human operator feels what the robot hand grasps and can safely grasp and manipulate objects from a distance.
A robotic exoskeleton uses sensors for precise orientation of all finger joints and actuators for increased power in gripping. (Source: Festo)
Eight double-acting pneumatic actuators, Festo's own DFK-10 cylinders, attached to the exoskeleton, move the fingers so that they can be opened and closed. Just like a human hand, the index finger can be pivoted to the user's right or left, and the thumb can be rotated toward the palm. Servo-pneumatic open-loop and closed-loop control algorithms are implemented on a CoDeSys-compliant controller, allowing precise orientation of each individual finger joint. This lets large amounts of force be transmitted precisely in a small space, which minimizes the risk of injury. Each hand has eight linear potentiometers as displacement sensors, and 16 pressure sensors to track the forces, angles, and positions of the fingers.
Festo, an automation technology supplier, already produces the hand's components which means it's possible that this could help keep costs down. The hand is aimed at operators in industrial assembly to give them additional force for monotonous, strenuous, and repetitive motions. It can be used for remotely manipulating a similarly equipped robotic hand, made of silicone, to grasp objects in hazardous environments.
The robotic hand can also be used with a brain-computer interface to create a closed feedback loop for helping stroke patients who are showing the first signs of paralysis. An EEG signal indicates the patient's desire to open or close his or her hand, and the ExoHand responds by performing the movement. The result is training patients to regenerate damaged connections between brain and hand. Festo is working on this application with the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience at the University Hospital Tuebingen.
Festo's other research projects include the PowerGripper, for developing new gripper systems modeled on the kinematics of a bird’s beak; the NanoForceGripper, which can grip smooth-surfaced fragile objects such as drinking glasses with very little energy expended by mimicking a gecko's sucker-like elements; and the Bionic Handling Assistant, a flexible gripping arm modeled after an elephant's trunk.
(Watch an animation of the ExoHand's operation here, and a video here.)
Al, good question, but the company did not divulge price. You're right, it does look like some pretty sophisticated and high-quality technology. OTOH, this is designed for highly automated manufacturing lines and medical apps, so one could guess that it may be reasonably priced within those parameters.
Ann, Any idea if the cost of this technology will hold it back in terms of applications? It offers a great many benefits but the mechanical design alone seems to be quite complex along with integration of many actuators and sensors. Very interesting technology.
bobjengr, I've had friends and associates who've suffered from carpal tunnel and while none have made that dramatic a statement, I can believe the level of your friends' agony. The ExoHand is designed to make those repetitive tasks easier (or even possible) and to prevent conditions like carpal tunnel from developing in the first place.
Bob, I do agree with you that the Festo hand could be used in the application of alleviting carpal-tunnel syndrome in manufacturing. I can remember the number of carpal-tunnel cases announced weekly when I worked as a Plant Electrical Enginner for GM Auto plant in Ypsilanti,MI in the late 1980s. The material in the article was excellent.
TJ, You're right about the diversity of the applications that might not have commercial appeal. Although the smart bird, for example, reminds me of technology that might be used at Disney. Big market for motion control solutions in theme parks and entertainment venues
Excellent article and a fascinating subject.I work in an industry in which carpal-tunnel syndrome seems to be the norm and not the exception.I have friends who have undergone surgery to repair tendons damaged from the syndrome and some have told me there were times when the pain was so great they considered amputation.(I know that's hard to believe but there were more than a few.)This device could possibly provide some method to mitigate (and alleviate) pain associated with repetitive movement during assembly processes.I feel the overall concept is excellent and definitely worth pursuing.Festo has always been on the cutting edge relative to pneumatics so maybe they really have something here.
You're very correct in your observation about controlling pneumatic actuators midspan. I have accomplished this with a fair degree of accuracy both in the vertical plane & the horizontal plane. It's NOT easy, but with powerful processors & some due diligence, it can be done. At least I've done it with several designs, which have been working well for several years without any creep or change due to wearing components.
OLD_CURMUDGEON, thanks for your real-world input on the company's components. It's also worth noting that, aside from their products, another main focus for the company is their Bionic Learning Network, which is biomimicry R&D in cooperation with universities and other research entities.
Rob, based on what I've seen that DARPA and other military agencies are doing in robotics R&D, I wouldn't be surprised if that already exists, at least on paper.
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