Actuated Robotics
Actuated Robotics is the name behind the AR10, a humanoid robotic hand for research and education. Little public company information is available, so this profile describes the product. The AR10 has ten degrees of freedom, driven by modified Actuonix linear actuators that give it reliable grip strength, and is built on an anodised aluminium core with plastic linkages and circuit board carriers. It connects over USB or serial with four extra analogue inputs for expansion and is controlled through a graphical interface built on the Pololu Maestro controller, Python scripts or ROS, including RViz and MoveIt. The hand can stand alone or be mounted at the end of an arm such as Rethink Robotics' Sawyer or Baxter. In the UK it is sold by Active Robots, which lists it at £3,120, and is also offered by Active8 Robots.
💡Notable Achievement: The AR10 hand has ten degrees of freedom driven by modified Actuonix linear actuators and is listed at £3,120 by Active Robots.
What Does Actuated Robotics Do?
Actuated Robotics is the name behind the AR10, a ten-degree-of-freedom humanoid robotic hand for research and education, controlled from ROS or Python.
“A programmable humanoid hand for labs and classrooms.”
Linear Actuators
Modified Actuonix actuators drive the fingers for reliable grip.
Open Control
ROS with RViz and MoveIt, Python and a Pololu Maestro interface.
Arm Mounting
Works stand-alone or on arms such as Sawyer and Baxter.
What Can Actuated Robotics Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Humanoid robotic hand for research.
Dexterous Grasping
Ten degrees of freedom for a wide range of hand poses.
Actuated Robotics Robot Hands
Showing 1 of 1 total model
AR10 Hand
Manufactured by Actuated Robotics
The AR10 Hand is a 10-DOF humanoid robotic hand from Actuated Robotics (also known as Active8 Robots), designed for research, teaching, and lab environments. Actuated by 10 prismatic servos and controlled via a programmable microcontroller with Maestro servo board, it enables a wide variety of poses and grasping tasks. Featuring hybrid construction with an anodized aluminum core for balanced strength and weight, it is fully ROS-compatible, customizable, and compatible with robots like Sawyer and Baxter for advanced manipulation projects.
Actuated Robotics Software & AI Ecosystem
Developer platforms, fleet management portals, autonomy intelligence, and enterprise integrations
ROS Integration
RViz and MoveIt
Full ROS compatibility, plus Python scripting and the Pololu Maestro Control Center.
Actuated Robotics Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Actuated Robotics Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Priced far below many research hands, at £3,120.
- ✓Full ROS support suits robotics teaching and research.
Core Strategic Focus
Serving research labs and universities through resellers.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Public information about the company is limited.
- •Linear-actuator design gives less dexterity than tendon-driven research hands.
Actuated Robotics vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Actuated AR10
- Linear-actuator research hand
- Shadow Dexterous Hand
- Research dexterous hand
- Allegro Hand V5
- Research robot hand
- Schunk SVH
- Five-finger gripper hand
Primary Use
- Actuated AR10
- Not listed
- Shadow Dexterous Hand
- Teleoperation, assembly
- Allegro Hand V5
- Teleoperation, assembly
- Schunk SVH
- Service robotics, AI grasping research
Degrees of Freedom
- Actuated AR10
- 10
- Shadow Dexterous Hand
- 24 (20 actuated + 4 underactuated)
- Allegro Hand V5
- 9 (base, 3 fingers × 3 DOF); 16 (Plus, 4 fingers × 4 DOF)
- Schunk SVH
- 20
Release Year
- Actuated AR10
- 2016
- Shadow Dexterous Hand
- 2004
- Allegro Hand V5
- 2025
- Schunk SVH
- 2013
| Strategic Dimension | Actuated AR10 | Shadow Dexterous Hand | Allegro Hand V5 | Schunk SVH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Linear-actuator research hand | Research dexterous hand | Research robot hand | Five-finger gripper hand |
| Primary Use | Not listed | Teleoperation, assembly | Teleoperation, assembly | Service robotics, AI grasping research |
| Degrees of Freedom | 10 | 24 (20 actuated + 4 underactuated) | 9 (base, 3 fingers × 3 DOF); 16 (Plus, 4 fingers × 4 DOF) | 20 |
| Release Year | 2016 | 2004 | 2025 | 2013 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Actuated Robotics Headquarters
HQLondon, United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Actuated Robotics
What is the AR10 hand?
The AR10 is a humanoid robotic hand with ten degrees of freedom, built on an aluminium core and driven by linear actuators. It is aimed at research, teaching and robot prototyping.
How is the AR10 hand actuated?
The AR10 uses Actuonix linear actuators, modified for reliability and grip strength. A Pololu Maestro controller drives the ten actuators, with control through a graphical interface, Python or ROS.
Does the AR10 support ROS?
Yes. The AR10 is described as fully ROS compatible, including RViz and MoveIt, and can also be programmed in Python or controlled with the Pololu Maestro Control Center.
How does the AR10 connect to a computer?
The AR10 connects by USB or serial and provides four extra analogue inputs so sensors or other electronics can be added by the user.
Can the AR10 be mounted on a robot arm?
Yes. The AR10 can run as a stand-alone platform or be fitted to the end of a robot arm such as the Rethink Robotics Sawyer or Baxter research robots.
How much does the AR10 hand cost?
Active Robots, a UK reseller, lists the AR10 Humanoid Robotic Hand at £3,120. Prices and stock differ by seller, so confirm with the retailer before ordering.
Where can I buy the AR10 robotic hand?
The AR10 is sold in the UK by Active Robots and also listed by Active8 Robots. It is also covered by robotics parts stores such as Robotic Gizmos.
What is known about Actuated Robotics as a company?
Public information about Actuated Robotics beyond the AR10 is limited. Its hand is mainly sold through resellers such as Active Robots, so check product pages for current company and support details.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Actuated Robotics datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.