Futuristic Robotic Hands that Mimic Human Movement with Air Muscles!

Once in while there comes a moment in human history when fabled science fiction meets reality or rather reality goes up to meet what was once science fiction. Such moments are few far between but when they do occur they remain etched in our minds and in our civilizations as landmarks that shaped the next era in scientific development. When the dream of H.G.Wells of stepping on the Moon became a reality, it was when we dared to translate the dreams in to reality. It seems modern science will soon create a real vision of the Terminator that was envisioned by James Cameroon in the late 70’s!

Robotic hands have come a long way, in terms of human-like movement. New models by the Shadow Robot Company and Japanese researchers make use of air muscles for realistic motion. Shadow’s impressive robot hand uses air muscles. They are powered by a container of 40 more specifically crafted air muscles to provide fluid, human-like movement. This technology allows direct mapping from a human to the robot. It contracts by up to 40% when actuated with a supply of compressed air.

It is not about just creating an exo-skeleton that mimics the human structure but adding the intricate and delicate movements to it all which ultimately would prove challenging. It seems the Japanese scientists have made enormous progress in this regard. Researchers at Japan’s Ishikawa Namiki Komuro Labs have perfected grasping using high-speed visual feedback. This is all about adding sensitivity and control to form and rigidity. It seems the day we see walking robots who look much more like us than a giant metal piece is not too far away.