3 min read
Engineers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne have unveiled a robotic hand that can detach itself at the wrist, crawl away independently, and retrieve objects from spaces too tight or dangerous for humans to access, marking a notable advance in robotic manipulation and mobility. The research was conducted by Xiao Gao, Kunpeng Yao, Kai Junge, Josie Hughes & Aude Billard.
The device, developed by researchers at EPFL and detailed in a study published on January 20 in Nature Communications, challenges a long-standing division in robotics by combining two functions that are typically separate: grasping and locomotion. Instead of relying on a full robotic body to reposition itself, the hand can disengage from a robotic arm, move autonomously to a target location, collect items, and then return to reattach itself.
The spider-like appendage features multiple motor-driven fingers connected through lightweight, 3D-printed joints. Each finger can bend both forward and backward, allowing the hand to grip objects from either side and effectively operate as if it had two functional palms. This reversible design enables the hand to manipulate objects without requiring wrist rotation, a limitation that often complicates robotic and human grasping alike.
Researchers demonstrated that the hand can perform conventional gripping tasks as well as more complex maneuvers, such as holding several objects simultaneously, grasping items without relying on a thumb or forefinger, and crawling across the floor while carrying objects on its surface. The fingertips are coated with soft silicone to increase friction, helping the device maintain a stable grip and traction while moving.
According to the research team, the design was inspired by biological systems that blur the line between movement and manipulation. They cited examples such as octopus arms, which can crawl along surfaces while handling objects, and praying mantis forelimbs, which serve both locomotion and grasping roles. By drawing on these natural models, the engineers aimed to overcome the inherent constraints of human hands, which are asymmetrical and permanently attached to the arm.
The hand reconnects to its robotic arm using a snap-and-lock mechanism that combines magnetic alignment with a motorized locking bolt, ensuring precise and secure reattachment. This modular approach allows the appendage to function either as a conventional gripper or as an independent retrieval tool, depending on the task.
Researchers say the technology could prove useful in industrial settings, disaster response, and exploratory environments where reaching behind obstacles, under debris, or into hazardous spaces is difficult or unsafe for human workers. While the current prototype is not intended for immediate clinical use, the team noted that the underlying principles could eventually inform the development of advanced prosthetics or robotic augmentation systems.
“We can easily see the limitations of the human hand when attempting to reach objects underneath furniture or behind shelves, or performing simultaneous tasks like holding a bottle while picking up a chip,” study co-author Aude Billard, head of the Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory in EPFL’s School of Engineering, said.
“Likewise, accessing objects positioned behind the hand while keeping the grip stable can be extremely challenging, requiring awkward wrist contortions or body repositioning… There is no real limitation in the number of objects it can hold; if we need to hold more objects, we simply add more fingers,” Billard also said.
By demonstrating a hand that can move, grasp, detach, and reattach with minimal complexity, the EPFL team has opened the door to new forms of robotic design that extend beyond human anatomy, emphasizing adaptability and task-oriented function over imitation alone.
