UK researchers are developing a robotic hand that could help to make life much easier for some disabled people. Up until now NASA owned the world’s most advanced robotic hand, although it was only able to mimic 12 of the 24 movements of the human hand. However, the hand developed by London-based robotic company the Shadow Robot Company is able to fully mimic all 24 movements. Unlike other robotic limbs that rely on electric motors to power movements their robotic hand uses “air muscles”, which are made from rubber tubing and a special type of braiding. If the tube inside gets fatter, the braiding gets shorter, thus movements are caused by the contraction and relaxation of the braiding – just like normal muscle. The hand is already able to pick up and hold a glass of water and the researchers believe that a prototype hand and arm fitted to a mobile base that the patient can guide through simple tasks via remote control will be completed within a year.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 7th August 2002
