Italian robotic hand maker spun out of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in 2009; produces IH2 Azzurra 11-DOF research hand and Mia Hand for prosthetics and.
Prensilia S.r.l. is an Italian company established in 2009 as a spin-off of the BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSA) in Pisa, founded by researchers from the institute's ARTS Lab (Advanced Robotics and Technology Laboratory). The company is headquartered in Pontedera (Pisa), Tuscany, Italy, at Via Rinaldo Piaggio 32. Prensilia specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced anthropomorphic robotic hands for prosthetics, industrial automation, and scientific research.
The company's flagship research product is the IH2 Azzurra, first launched in 2011. The IH2 Azzurra is a fully self-contained, human-sized anthropomorphic robotic hand featuring 11 degrees of freedom and 5 degrees of actuation, with all electronics, actuators, and sensors integrated within the hand structure. The hand weighs approximately 640 grams and measures 102 x 45 x 213 mm. It achieves a cylindrical grasp force exceeding 35 N and a lateral grasp force of over 7 N. Communication interfaces include UART over USB and Bluetooth, and the hand supports integration with EMG, ENG, and EEG control systems for human-machine interface research. The IH2 Azzurra has been deployed in more than 30 research centers worldwide for studies in robotics, prosthetics, neuroscience, and human-machine interfaces.
The Mia Hand platform was commercially launched in 2024 with dual certification as a Class I medical device and as a collaborative industrial gripper. The Mia Hand is available in three variants: Mia Hand Prosthesis for upper-limb amputees, Mia Hand Industrial for collaborative robot end-of-arm tooling, and Mia Hand R&D for laboratory research. It supports multiple grasp types including lateral, cylindrical, and precision pinch grips, as well as individual finger movements such as index finger flexion-extension and thumb opposition.
Prensilia's core competencies include advanced mechatronics, embedded control systems, micro-mechanical sensors, precision mechanics, and ICT integration. The company has contributed to EU-funded robotics research programs and participated in the APRIL Project for humanoid robotics. Its products are used by academic institutions and industrial partners globally, including in humanoid robot development. Prensilia is a member of the Italian Industry 4.0 competence center Artes 4.0.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Self-contained anthropomorphic research hand; 11 DOF, 5 actuations, 640g; cylindrical grasp force >35N; deployed at 30+ research centers for prosthetics and HMI studies.
Multi-variant robotic hand certified as Class I medical device and collaborative gripper in 2024; available as prosthesis, industrial gripper, and R&D platform.
Contact Prensilia s.r.l.
WEBSITE
https://www.prensilia.comPHONE
+39 0587 274811HEADQUARTERS
Italy
Company Facts
Founded
2009
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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Certifications & Memberships
