A detachable crawling robotic hand
Abstract
The human hand is often viewed as the pinnacle of dexterity, and many robotic hands adopt anthropomorphic designs, while others pursue non-anthropomorphic forms for structural balance or task optimization. However, human-like asymmetry and reliance on a single thumb limit applications that require symmetry or modularity, and most designs still struggle to combine autonomous movement, multi-object grasping, and modularity in one platform. We present a reversible finger design that allows grasping from both sides, with finger placement optimized to distribute roles and satisfy grasping and crawling constraints. In this work, we show that a detachable, reversible hand reliably combines manipulation and locomotion, enabling beyond-reach multi-item retrieval during crawling, one-handed tool use, and seamless bridging of stationary manipulation with autonomous mobility for industrial, service, and exploratory robotics. This study introduces a detachable robotic hand that can detach from a manipulator, crawl to retrieve several objects, and reattach. A symmetric, reversible design enables grasping from both sides, bridging manipulation with autonomous mobility.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Robot Manipulation and Learning
Interactive and Immersive Displays
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Nature Communications
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 428–428
- Publication date
- 20 January 2026
- Language
- EN