A detachable crawling robotic hand

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Authors: Xiao Gao, Kunpeng Yao, Kai Junge, Josie Hughes, Aude Gemma Billard
Cited by: 1
References: 49

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