Robot Manufacturer Mobile Manipulator Manipulation & Grasping Motion & Navigation Human-Machine Interaction Education & Research
ETH Zurich Researchers Develop Self-Contained Robotic Hand That Walks on Its Fingers
Original from Spectrum.ieee.orgAutomaton: This Disembodied Hand Is All the Robot You Need

ETH Zurich Researchers Develop Self-Contained Robotic Hand That Walks on Its Fingers

Researchers from ETH Zurich have transformed a standard robotic hand into a self-sufficient robot capable of walking on its fingertips while manipulating objects. This innovation could enhance operations in confined spaces, such as during maintenance tasks or search and rescue missions, where traditional robotic arms may struggle to reach.

The project, led by Ph.D. candidate Amirhossein Kazemipour, utilizes off-the-shelf hardware from Wuji Technology, augmented with a lightweight backpack containing essential components. The hand's unique design allows it to perform tasks beyond traditional robotic capabilities, marking a significant step toward versatile robotics.

Future developments may focus on improving the hand's perception and navigation capabilities for practical applications. Kazemipour envisions a future where robotic parts can dynamically transition between roles, enhancing their utility in various environments and tasks, thus redefining the potential of robotic systems.

Editor's Note

The development of a walking robotic hand by ETH Zurich highlights a shift in robotics towards modular and multifunctional designs. This innovation could significantly impact industries requiring dexterous manipulation in constrained environments, such as maintenance and emergency response. As robotics technology continues to evolve, the integration of versatile components may lead to more adaptable and efficient robotic systems.

RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.

Share

Related Articles/News

ZTE Unveils Self-Developed Multi-Form Humanoid Robot Matrix Featuring Xingzai, Xingqing, and Xingwang

ZTE Unveils Self-Developed Multi-Form Humanoid Robot Matrix Featuring Xingzai, Xingqing, and Xingwang

ZTE has introduced its self-developed multi-form humanoid robot matrix, which includes models named Xingzai, Xingqing, and Xingwang. This showcase highlights ZTE's advancements in humanoid robotics and its commitment to innovation in this field. The introduction of these humanoid robots is significant as it marks ZTE's entry into a competitive market wher...

Robotics Automation AI
IROS 2026 Category Award Finalists: All 22 Papers

IROS 2026 Category Award Finalists: All 22 Papers

From humanoid tennis to bin picking and farm robots: the 22 finalists for IROS 2026's eight category awards, and what each one means for industry.

Market and Business News
RehabWeek 2027 Lausanne: Rehab Robotics and ICORR

RehabWeek 2027 Lausanne: Rehab Robotics and ICORR

RehabWeek 2027 runs 31 May-4 June 2027 in Lausanne, Switzerland, bringing ICORR and other rehabilitation technology conferences together. Dates and deadlines.

Events
Northrop Grumman Achieves First Flight of Self-Funded YFQ-48A Drone Wingman

Northrop Grumman Achieves First Flight of Self-Funded YFQ-48A Drone Wingman

Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of its self-funded YFQ-48A drone wingman. The aircraft demonstrated fully autonomous capabilities, including taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing, during its flight over the Mojave Desert in California. This milestone is significant as it showcases Northrop Grumman's advancements in a...

Air Warfare Air Force Anduril
IROS 2026 Closing Briefing — Pittsburgh, Sep 27–Oct 1

IROS 2026 Closing Briefing — Pittsburgh, Sep 27–Oct 1

IROS 2026 closes in Pittsburgh with 1,900+ papers and 186 exhibitor listings. Humanoids, dexterous hands, tactile sensing and robot data led the show.

Market and Business News Events
Defense Secretary Hegseth Proposes New Autonomous Warfare Command for Drones

Defense Secretary Hegseth Proposes New Autonomous Warfare Command for Drones

In a recent address, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a vision for establishing a new Autonomous Warfare Command. This initiative aims to expedite the integration of drones and robotic systems into the hands of servicemembers, enhancing operational capabilities. The significance of this proposal lies in its potential to transform military operation...

Air Warfare Land Warfare Pentagon
Tangent Robotics Secures $4.5 Million to Enhance Robot Hands with Fine Motor Skills

Tangent Robotics Secures $4.5 Million to Enhance Robot Hands with Fine Motor Skills

Tangent Robotics has successfully raised $4.5 million in pre-seed funding aimed at developing dexterous robot hands tailored for manufacturing applications. The funding round was co-led by Fly Ventures and Toyota Ventures, with additional participation from Logos Fund and Sparked Ventures, as announced on September 30. The company, which emerged from Colu...

US Tangent Robotics
DH-Robotics Unveils 13-DOF Dexterous Hand ADH-5-13 at IROS 2026

DH-Robotics Unveils 13-DOF Dexterous Hand ADH-5-13 at IROS 2026

DH-Robotics introduced the ADH-5-13, a five-finger dexterous hand featuring 13 independently controllable active degrees of freedom (DOF), at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh. This innovative product aims to enhance robotic manipulation capabilities across various applications. The significance of the ADH-5-13 lies in its advanced dexterity, which allows for more ...

Defense Secretary Hegseth Unveils New Four-Star Drone Command and Initiatives

Defense Secretary Hegseth Unveils New Four-Star Drone Command and Initiatives

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a new four-star command focused on drones, named Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM), during a speech at Quantico, Virginia. This initiative aims to enhance the integration of autonomous and robotic capabilities across military operations, reflecting lessons learned from the Ukraine conflic...

Pentagon Autonomous Warfare Command Drones
Ethernet Cabling: Essential Infrastructure for Data Management in Manufacturing

Ethernet Cabling: Essential Infrastructure for Data Management in Manufacturing

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and digital technology is driving significant infrastructure development to manage increasing data volumes. This trend is particularly evident in manufacturing, where real-time data connectivity enhances operational efficiency and decision-making. As global electricity demand from data centers is projected to do...

Process / Communication
Tangent Robotics Secures $4.5M Pre-Seed Funding for Advanced Robot Hand Development

Tangent Robotics Secures $4.5M Pre-Seed Funding for Advanced Robot Hand Development

Tangent Robotics has successfully raised $4.5 million in pre-seed funding, led by Fly Ventures and Toyota Ventures, to enhance robotic manipulation systems aimed at high-precision industrial tasks. The funding will support the development of robot hands, light-based touch sensing, and motor learning technologies, which are essential for tasks such as asse...

AI AI Funding & Investment Physical AI
Netherlands and Electro Optic Systems Sign Letter of Intent for Apollo Laser System

Netherlands and Electro Optic Systems Sign Letter of Intent for Apollo Laser System

The Netherlands and Electro Optic Systems have signed a letter of intent to further develop the Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon system. This collaboration aims to enhance counter-drone capabilities, reflecting a growing emphasis on advanced defense technologies. This partnership is significant as it underscores the Netherlands' commitment to integrating c...

News

Related Suppliers

ETH Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland federal technical university founded 1855; its Robotic Systems Lab produced the ANYmal quadruped, spun off as ANYbotics in 2016.

Software & Algorithm Provider Cloud & Data Education & Research

Reis & Irvy's

US franchisor of fully-automated robotic frozen yogurt kiosks serving customized soft-serve in under 60 seconds via touchscreen and robotic dispenser.

Commercial Service Robots Robot Manufacturer Human-Machine Interaction

Yanu

Estonian startup making AI-powered autonomous bartender robots; serves 100 drinks/hour via AI chatbot; deployed at airports, stadiums, and events worldwide.

Commercial Service Robots Human-Machine Interaction Mobile Robot (AGV/AMR)

Borg Robotics

Detroit-based startup building modular AI-powered humanoid and industrial robots designed for warehouse and factory automation.

Humanoid

Jiangsu Yunmu Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. 江苏云幕智造科技有限公司

Jiangsu robotics maker of YMBot humanoid robots for tourism, reception, industrial data collection, and education use cases.

HEBI Robotics

CMU spin-off producing modular smart actuators and robotic systems for research, industrial, and extreme-environment applications.

Robot Manufacturer Mobile Robot (AGV/AMR) System Integrator

qfix Robotics GmbH

German educational robotics kit maker founded 2004 in Senden; aluminium-frame modular kits used in schools and RoboCup Junior competitions.

Elumotion Ltd

UK robotics engineering company specializing in the design of dexterous robotic hands, wrists and humanoid torso systems that replicate biological motion.

Holiday Robotics

South Korean startup building FRIDAY, a wheeled 64-DoF dexterous industrial humanoid, after a $105M Series A round in 2026.

Nimbl'Bot

Bordeaux deeptech startup making spine-inspired hyper-redundant robotic arms for nuclear, energy, and aerospace NDT inspection.

Robot Manufacturer Mobile Robot (AGV/AMR) Collaborative

RoBoa

ETH Zurich spin-off building snake-like robots up to 100 m long for confined space inspection and search & rescue.

University of Auckland — Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES)

Auckland, New Zealand university robotics centre directed by Bruce MacDonald; researches human-robot interaction, sensing, and agricultural robots.

Education & Research Research Institute Human-Machine Interaction

inJoin the RobotToday community on LinkedIn

Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.