Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Ishikawa Komuro Laboratory have developed a robotic arm and sensor system that is capable of performing some amazing sleight of hand tricks. Using a high speed tracking camera and tactile sensors on the fingers, the robot does millisecond bouncing of ping pong balls, pen spinning, and even throwing and re-grabbing a mobile phone.
Here is a demo video showing off some examples of the robot’s high speed dexterity:
Now imagine being humbled at table tennis while playing with an amputee equipped with one of these. Or, perhaps, Intuitive Surgical should take a look at this technology for its upcoming da Vinci systems.
Link to more videos of the robotic hand system: Sensor Fusion Movies …
(hat tip: Engadget)