Inspire-Robots (因时机器人), a Beijing-based robotic component developer, recently unveiled its bionic exoskeleton hand at an exhibition in Japan.
The startup, which specializes in the design and development of micro-sized servo motor, gripper and robotic hand, put the product on display at the ongoing Mechanical Components & Materials Technology Expo in Tokyo.
The wearable robot comprises six micro-sized servo drivers. It integrates a brushless motor, planetary gear reducer, linear guide, absolute position sensor and force feedback sensor.
Apart from two drivers installed at the thumb, the four other fingers also come with a driver each.
The exoskeleton has six degrees of freedom and 12 joints and weighs 500 g. The thumb can generate a maximum gripping power of 15 newtons, compared to 10 newtons for four other fingers.
With a fusion of force and position control algorithms, the wearable hand has quasi-millimeter-grade accuracy and a payload of several kilograms, says Inspire-Robots.
In non-technical parlance, these specs allow the wearable robot to perform movement like gripping and clutching items with ease just like a human hand, the firm explains.
What’s more, the robot hand, when equipped with an operating system and plugins, is scalable in its function and even capable of playing the piano or interacting through hand gestures.
Robotic hands are finding increasing adoption in China among people with disabilities, who use them to regain their mobility and strength and complete everyday tasks like grabbing objects and holding a cup of water.
Inspire-Robots, which was founded in 2016, counts well-known investors Primavera Capital, Frees Fund and Shunwei Capital among its financial backers.
The startup has provided its products to thousands of companies, universities and research institutes to markets like mainland China, Taiwan, Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, according to its website. Well-known partners include CATL, Tencent, Xiaomi and more.
