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DLR Multi-fingered Hands

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Humanoid Robotics: A Reference

Abstract

This chapter describes the history of development of multi-fingered hands at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, German Aerospace Center (DLR). It provides an overview of kinematics, actuators, and sensors used in different hands, including DLR Hand I and DLR Hand II, Spacehand and Awiwi Hand, discussing also the lessons learned during the development process and the usage of the hands. A more in-depth description of the most recent DLR development, the Awiwi Hand, is provided to illustrate in detail the challenges of the design of robotic hands, including the consideration of functional aspects that guarantee achieving the required performance in these end effectors.

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Abbreviations

DIP:

Distal interphalangeal joint

DLR:

German Aerospace Center

DoF:

Degree of freedom

DSP:

Digital signal processor

FPGA:

Field programmable gate array

FSR:

Force-sensitive resistor

GEO:

Geostationary earth orbit

HMC:

Hamatometacarpal joint

IP:

Interphalangeal joint

JPL:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

LEO:

Lower earth orbit

MC:

Metacarpophalangeal joint

MP:

Metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb

PHRI:

Physical human robot interaction

PIP:

Proximal interphalangeal joint

PSD:

(Optical) Position sensitive device

PU:

Polyurethane

TCP:

Tool center point

TMC:

Trapezometacarpal joint

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Grebenstein, M., Chalon, M., Roa, M.A., Borst, C. (2019). DLR Multi-fingered Hands. In: Goswami, A., Vadakkepat, P. (eds) Humanoid Robotics: A Reference. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6046-2_85

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