Researchers at Chiba University and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (TSE:7270) have developed a robot hand that can grab and lift an object weighing 15kg, higher than the typical 3kg lifting ability of similar devices.

The hand is powered by hydraulics, just like heavy construction equipment, instead of electricity, as is the case in most robot hands.

The developers expect the device to be used for such purposes as moving heavy debris at the scene of a fire. It can be used remotely through a special glove worn by the operator.

Professor Kenzo Nonami and other researchers at Chiba University’s Faculty of Engineering helped devise the robot hand.

The developers now plan to improve the device’s manipulation functions to decrease the time lag between the movements of the operator’s hand and the robot’s.

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Copyright © 2002 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

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