Robotic hand suits complex manipulation tasks
The Robioss robotics research team based at Poitiers University has developed a new generation of dexterous robotic hand. With 16 joints and 16 actuators, the robotic hand can reproduce complex human movements such as grasping and fine manipulation. Mounted on a Stäubli robot arm and controlled by the B&R Automation PC 910, this robotic hand is capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including complex packaging tasks as the manipulation of delicate food elements or flexible sacks.
Pictured right: the robotic hand demonstrates complex manipulation tasks
With communications over Powerlink, both the robotic hand and the Stäubli robot are controlled with perfect synchronisation. Moreover, the Automation Studio 4 software tool from B&R allows researchers to handle the control software as a bundle of reusable modules, thus making cooperative development of the robotic hand easier within the team.
A strong partnership
In the 10 years of its existence, the partnership between Poitiers University and B&R has grown stronger and stronger. The mechatronics department and its students benefit from the advantages of the education support program B&R offers worldwide. Beyond the B&R education support program, this partnership has also contributed to highlighting the pioneering projects of the Robioss robotics research team, such as the development of the robotic hand.
Based at Poitiers University, the robotic hand development team belongs to the P Prime Institute operated by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Beyond the robotic hand, a key area of focus for Robioss researchers involves allowing humans and robots to work hand in hand in a safe way. Being able to integrate robots that cooperate with human operators into production lines has now become a key factor for competitiveness for many con-sumer goods companies.
At the most recent event organized by Poitiers University and B&R, over 150 participants – including many packaging machine builders and users – could see for themselves that B&R systems and the bus-independent safety standard openSAFETY not only allow easy and safe integration of robots into production lines and medical applications, but also open up entirely new ways for humans to work with robots.
Visit the B&R website for more information on robotic hand control.
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