German Researchers Build Terminator Robot Hand

[cirrrocco]

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/01/german-researchers-build-terminator-robot-hand/

Sorry if repost.

=======

Not that utility has been traded for toughness: as the video shows, the hand is capable of an astonishing range of movement. The fingers are controlled by 38 tendons, each of which is driven by its own motor inside the forearm. Two tendons serve each joint. When their motors turn the same way, the joint moves. When they turn in opposite directions, the joint stiffens. This lets it toughen-up to catch balls, yet be loose enough to perform delicate operations...

Not only can the hand take punishment, it can also deal it out, exerting up to 30 Newtons of pressure with its fingers, plenty for either a stimulating massage or a deadly choking grip. It is also fast. The joints can spin at 500-degrees per second. If it tenses the springs joined to the tendons first, and then releases that energy, the joints can reach a head-spinning 2000-degrees per second, or 333 RPM. That’s fast enough for it to snap its fingers and summon a human slave to do its bidding.

Skynet ftw..In all seriousness though, impressive how these researchers came up with this in Germany. I thought Japan and the US were at the cutting edge in Robotics.

Anyway now we know why the terminator has a german accent.

 

[dali71]

You might want to add some commentary before this is locked.

 

[cirrrocco]

done..hehe.. Thanks

 

[CanOWorms]

In all seriousness though, impressive how these researchers came up with this in Germany. I thought Japan and the US were at the cutting edge in Robotics.

The US and Japan are among the leaders, but so is Germany (especially geared towards industrial robots).

 

[manimal]

German industry-especially high tech mfg.-is doing very well.

 

[Zebo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5WGLWNllA

 

[coreyb]

Germany is always leading the world in evil inventions.

 

[Steeplerot]

Don't touch my junk!

 

[Painman]

"You're Terminated, Fucker!"

*smashes button on hydraulic press automation panel*

 

[Orignal Earl]

The US and Japan are among the leaders, but so is Germany (especially geared towards industrial robots).

That's not what my googles say. Links?

 

[her209]

 

[Zebo]

Arr T2 is like the new Star Wars remake where Han doesn't shoot first. Fail! what kind of Terminator doesn't kill. <nerd mode off>

 

[khon]

Not only can the hand take punishment, it can also deal it out, exerting up to 30 Newtons of pressure with its fingers, plenty for either a stimulating massage or a deadly choking grip

Physics doesn't seem to be the author's strongsuit. First of all Newton is a unit of force, not pressure. Secondly you can't choke someone to death with a force as low as 30N.

A force of 30N is what you would need to lift a 3kg (6 lbs) weight, not exactly terminator-like strength.

 

[CPA]

I, for one, welcome our new German-made, terminator hand overlords.