This page has 3 projects, all have video clips which play automatically.
This is the robotic hand project which is made mostly from metal inside, and has a removable glove "skin"
giving it the appearance of a human hand, made from synthetic rubber.
It is computer controlled, and life sized just like a human hand.
It is the latest project to be completed. The videos show the hand picking up a couple objects between its
index finger and thumb.
This hand now has a rudimentary sense of touch, by force feedback.
DC motors draw more current as the load increases, which happens as the hands grip tightens on an object.
This current is measured with an analog to digital chip, which gives the computer an indication of how hard it
is gripping the object.
The computer then automatically shuts off the motor at the correct point to secure the grip.
A more advanced hand will be built next, with more features and a smoother skin.
This is the android Tara, a robot with human appearance and synthetic rubber skin
http://www.geocities.com/androidbuilder/tara.html
This is the first robot I made, with a mechanical appearance http://www.geocities.com/androidbuilder/robot.html.
This robot is shown shaking hands with a person, but the video quality is low.
Email John, the designer, at androidbuilder@yahoo.com
Last updated Apr 19, 2001.