SoftHand Research
The qb SoftHand Research is an anthropomorphic robotic hand leveraging soft-robotics technology with mechanical synergies for adaptive grasping. Featuring 19 DOFs driven by a single underactuated motor, it replicates ~75% of human hand grips, safely interacts with humans/objects, and requires no control changes for diverse shapes/textures. Plug-and-play design with self-healing joints ensures robustness for R&D, offering simplicity, flexibility, and affordability in human-like manipulation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. What is the humanoid robot hand SoftHand Research, and what problem does it solve?
The SoftHand Research is an anthropomorphic robotic hand developed by qb Robotics using soft-robotics technology. It addresses challenges in grasping diverse objects through adaptive, single-motor actuation that enables flexibility without complex control changes.
Q2. What are the main capabilities and key features of SoftHand Research?
Key features include 19 degrees of freedom with one motor synergy, soft human-like fingers, dislocatable self-healing joints, and plug-and-play design. According to qb Robotics, it supports power and pinch grasps while adapting to varied object shapes.
Q3. Which industries and use cases is SoftHand Research built for?
It targets education, research and development, service robotics, human assistance, and medical rehabilitation. The design suits applications requiring safe human-robot interaction and versatile object manipulation.
Q4. What is the grip strength and dexterity of SoftHand Research?
The hand provides adaptive grip strength via soft joints, enabling power grasps and precision handling. qb Robotics states it replicates about 75% of human hand grips through inherent mechanical intelligence and single-motor control.
Q5. Is SoftHand Research compatible with standard robotic arms?
Yes, it integrates with major cobot brands and is UR+ certified by Universal Robots. Communication uses RS485 protocol, supporting plug-and-play connection to various robotic arms.
Q6. Does SoftHand Research support tactile sensing or force feedback?
It relies on soft-robotics compliance for adaptive interaction rather than dedicated tactile sensors. Feedback includes motor position and current, enabling force estimation through control signals.
Q7. What programming interfaces or SDKs are available for SoftHand Research?
Interfaces include USB and RS485, with ROS compatibility and support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It integrates with standard software packages for robotic control.
Q8. How does SoftHand Research compare to other robotic end-effectors?
Unlike rigid multi-motor grippers, it uses single-motor actuation for simplicity and adaptability, with soft joints for safety. qb Robotics positions it as a research platform balancing dexterity and ease of use.
Q9. What level of maintenance is required for SoftHand Research?
Maintenance is minimal due to robust, self-healing joints and modular design. The soft materials and simple actuation reduce wear in human-robot interaction scenarios.
Q10. Is SoftHand Research currently available for commercial purchase?
Yes, it is offered for purchase through distributors like Clearpath Robotics. qb Robotics provides it as a research-oriented product with ongoing availability.
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