Sandia researchers have developed a cost-effective robotic hand that can be used in disarming improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Sandia Hand project is modular, so different types of fingers can be attached with magnets and quickly plugged into the hand frame. The operator has the flexibility to quickly and easily attach additional fingers or other tools, such as flashlights, screwdrivers or cameras. Modularity also gives the Sandia Hand a unique durability. The fingers are designed to fall off should the operator accidentally run the hand into a wall or another object.
Read about the Sandia Hand project [2].
About the photos (by Randy Montoya, Sandia National Laboratories):
Sandia principal investigator Curt Salisbury developed an affordable robotic hand that is dexterous enough to mimic the capabilities of the human hand.
https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_releases/images/2012/hand_cards.jpg [3]
The Sandia Hand addresses challenges that have prevented widespread adoption of other robotic hands, including cost, durability, dexterity and modularity.
https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_releases/images/2012/hand_ball.jpg [4]
