The Ongoing Debate: Tendon vs. Direct-Drive Hands in Humanoid Robotics
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- HumanoidsDaily
The race to develop a general-purpose humanoid robot has reached a critical point centered on hand design. Recently, Figure CEO Brett Adcock criticized the company's earlier tendon-based hand for its engineering flaws, stating it was a poor decision. Figure is now pursuing a 7th-generation hand that aims for human-like dexterity with enhanced finger movement capabilities.
This debate is significant as it highlights the contrasting philosophies in robotics design: biological mimicry versus mechanical precision. While Figure shifts focus, Foundation's Andrea Esposito argues that the issues with tendon-driven hands stem from execution rather than the architecture itself. He emphasizes the need for optimization rather than abandonment of the tendon approach, showcasing the ongoing tension in the industry.
As the competition intensifies, major players like AGILINK are adopting a dual approach by developing both direct-drive and tendon-driven hands. Their OmniHand 3 Ultra-M aims to address complex manipulation challenges, while the Ultra-T model showcases the potential of tendon systems. The industry is watching closely as these developments unfold.
Original report
The Great Dexterity Divide: Why Robotics Leaders Are Warring Over Tendon vs. Direct-Drive Hands
HumanoidsDaily · [email protected] (Humanoids Daily Staff)This briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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