Production Made More Effective with Next-Gen Robotic Hands

The HAND research center, backed by the National Science Foundation, is tackling one of robotics’ greatest challenges: giving robot hands the fluid motion and fine motor control of human hands. By combining soft, compliant materials with advanced sensors and artificial muscle technologies, HAND is developing robotic end-effectors that can move, grasp, and adjust with unprecedented precision. These hands won’t just mimic motion—they’ll sense texture, stiffness, and even temperature, allowing for real-time feedback and adaptive control. With experts from robotics, softbotics, and human-computer interaction, and led by Carnegie Mellon, HAND is redefining how robots move—and how they move us into the future of intelligent manufacturing.