Feetech is selling actuators which are mechanically R/C type servos, but have a bidirectional computer interface allowing the control computer to find out what's happening at the servo.[1] This isn't new; Dynamixel has been doing it for over a decade. But not at this price point. This Feetech servo is $17, while Dynamixel units start around $70 and go much higher.[2]
The parts list has "need to be strong" for many of the small parts, but they are 3D printed PLA plastic. That's the low end of 3D printing. None of the videos show the hand handling anything.
So this is really the proof of concept model. If there's enough interest, someone could make the parts by injection-molding of something better, such as polycarbonate or glass-filled nylon. The total plastic volume here is so tiny that the plastic cost is negligible, and there's no reason not to use a high-quality engineering plastic.
Nobody seems to do hobbyist injection molding much. TechShop had a desktop injection molding machine, the CNC milling machines to make molds, and even Autodesk Moldflow to design them. But nobody used those tools. A few university maker spaces have similar machines. Because most of the world's plastic stuff is made by injection molding.
Mold design is still difficult when the parts aren't dead simple. The software I've seen is okay with the simple stuff, but once you get even a little more complex you have to understand simultaneously how to design good parts for molding and how to design good molds, both of which are heavily dependent on the type of plastic you're using and the size of the press you have access to. Not to mention how to machine good molds from metal, which is a challenge all on its own due to surface finish and tolerance requirements (and weird geometry that makes the CAM choke...)
In other words, we're not really there yet to bring that activity into the hobby realm. But I hope that we're not too far away.
People have been making end effectors using hobby servos for ages. These servomotors are designed for use in an RC aircraft, they're light, cheap, and expendable.
Industrial needs care not about weight, care less about cost, and care a great deal about capability, repeatability, and reliability.
This is a cool project for a hobbyist but it's not meant to be a serious industrial machine.
Edit: what is with this thread? Lots of very generic positive comments here but not much thinking about what this is actually useful for.
It’s one of best designs I have seen, I admit. But for that price you cannot get absolute encoders outside the motor, reliable force/torque sensors (think picking up a strawberry), tendons (thread below). It might be too limited for research and real-world projects unfortunately.
Here is what I’m more keen on, rather than the human-like robots that we are all expecting. For instance, I would like a wall-mounted or floor-standing multi-arm robot that serves as a kitchen assistant. One can add or reduce arms as needed/desired. It is custom-equipped with a fire extinguisher, thermometer, and the usual must-haves for a kitchen. It will hold the cutlery, plates, and other items as needed. It will also advise on the likes of, “No, salts usually go in a pinch, would you like me to add in just about 5 grams?”
Thus, similarly for the garage, the DIY table, etc. Just Arms would be good.
I don't want arms in the kitchen just yet though I'm happy for someone else to beta test that.
But arms to move laundry from dirty clothes -> washer -> dryer -> clean clothes basket? Relatively defined, repeatable interactions with a worst case of wrecking some clothes seems a safer place to start.
I think the washer-dryer integrated unit handles the first bit without moving the clothes. Add the ability to dump dry clothes into a basket and voila!
Seriously, though. Vassar Robotics (YC company) has an arm kit available for order now. The original ship date for my order just got pushed back due to an upgrade in the camera spec.
It won't be able to hold knives (I don't think) but there are companies working to bring about your hoped-for wall arm right now.
Looks like this product is called AmazingHand (and there are billions of "hand"s in the world), so the title might have some room for improvement as far as searchability goes.
In practice force sensing is more useful than proprioception in most cases, at least for grasping. Generally you won't the dimensions of an object you're attempting to grasp anywhere near as well as you would know the shape of the hand you're using so a certain amount of underactuated compliance makes the job a lot easier.
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What a time to be alive!
The parts list has "need to be strong" for many of the small parts, but they are 3D printed PLA plastic. That's the low end of 3D printing. None of the videos show the hand handling anything.
So this is really the proof of concept model. If there's enough interest, someone could make the parts by injection-molding of something better, such as polycarbonate or glass-filled nylon. The total plastic volume here is so tiny that the plastic cost is negligible, and there's no reason not to use a high-quality engineering plastic.
Nobody seems to do hobbyist injection molding much. TechShop had a desktop injection molding machine, the CNC milling machines to make molds, and even Autodesk Moldflow to design them. But nobody used those tools. A few university maker spaces have similar machines. Because most of the world's plastic stuff is made by injection molding.
[1] https://www.feetechrc.com/
[2] https://www.robotis.us/dynamixel/
[3] https://makerspace.engineering.nyu.edu/machines/pim/
In other words, we're not really there yet to bring that activity into the hobby realm. But I hope that we're not too far away.
If this Robot hand can do those jobs we could see some industries take a hit
Industrial needs care not about weight, care less about cost, and care a great deal about capability, repeatability, and reliability.
This is a cool project for a hobbyist but it's not meant to be a serious industrial machine.
Edit: what is with this thread? Lots of very generic positive comments here but not much thinking about what this is actually useful for.
That is why I'm self employed.
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https://www.kscale.dev/
Thus, similarly for the garage, the DIY table, etc. Just Arms would be good.
I have to put a towel over it though today he pulled the towel off and still grabbed the knife and was holding it up when I turned around.
But arms to move laundry from dirty clothes -> washer -> dryer -> clean clothes basket? Relatively defined, repeatable interactions with a worst case of wrecking some clothes seems a safer place to start.
Seriously, though. Vassar Robotics (YC company) has an arm kit available for order now. The original ship date for my order just got pushed back due to an upgrade in the camera spec.
It won't be able to hold knives (I don't think) but there are companies working to bring about your hoped-for wall arm right now.
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I wonder if companies are experimenting with materials like UHMWPE for non-elastic, high strength-to-diameter tendons.
I dont know if you'd have to weld the dyneema to the anchor points, though
https://www.youtube.com/@WillCogley
https://willcogley.notion.site/
So, there are designs out there for that too!
Last I checked, project was shelved in 2020 for various reasons. =3