Once in a while, having a few extra fingers can make your life a whole lot easier. Researchers at MIT have developed a robot that augments the human hand with two robotic fingers. With this wrist-mounted robot, you can take on difficult tasks more easily. A control algorithm enables the wearable device to move in sync with the wearer’s fingers.
This is a completely intuitive and natural way to move your robotic fingers … You do not need to command the robot, but simply move your fingers naturally. Then the robotic fingers react and assist your fingers.
explained Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. A bit of training may be needed for the wearer to get a better handle on these robotic fingers. This can help folks with limited dexterity to open jars and do a whole lot more. Think about all the possibilities.
[MIT]