Creepy Mechanical Hand Walks, Types and Plays Games Like 'The Thing'
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a disembodied robo-hand capable of complex movements and terrain navigation, inspired by 'The Addams Family'.
Scientists at ETH Zurich's Soft Robotics Lab have created a mechanical hand that can move independently across various surfaces, drawing inspiration from the character "The Thing" from "The Addams Family." This anthropomorphic appendage, detailed in a paper published in the journal Axriv, can perform fine motor tasks such as manipulating objects and typing on a keyboard.
When tipped over, the robotic hand can right itself, similar to a hermit crab. The researchers stated that the goal was to create a machine with "some independence" and to potentially assist individuals who have difficulty reaching or grasping objects.
According to the researchers, equipping robotic hands with mobility could lead to more versatile robots that can interact with human-centric environments. While the specific applications were not detailed, speculation suggests potential use in enhancing humanoid robots. The "Cyber-Thing" is equipped with a battery, an onboard computer, and sensors that enable it to navigate complex terrains like grass and stone at a steady pace.
Demonstrating its dexterity, the hand successfully played the classic arcade puzzle game Sokoban. However, limitations such as battery life are still under development, restricting its continuous operation to a few hours.