Flexible hand TKD-2000 : diginfo

Flexible Hand: TKD2000 Double Research Development DOUBLE Research & Development Co., Ltd. has developed a human like hand called the Flexible Hand TKD-2000. Flexibility is an extremely important component of an artificial hand and is what determines a device's level of function as an artificial hand. With over 20 degrees of freedom, the Flexible Hand TKD-2000 can skillfully manipulate its extremely complex structure. Researchers on loan from the Japan Foundation for Aging and Health assisted in developing not only the artificial hand but also hands suited for nursing care robots. DOUBLE R&D first focused on three points as design guidelines: to construct a bone structure similar to that of humans, to achieve grip force equalization, which couldn't be done in the past without the use of sensors, and provide natural movement. With this focus, the company successfully applied a human like bone structure to the palm area, which in the past was viewed as a plate shape, and achieved a structure similar to that of humans by connecting individual parts with links that are equivalent to tendons. Independently moving links were used in each finger joint, thereby enabling the movement of all joints through a series of interlocked links. With this design, the new flexible hand can perform the optimum flexing movements needed to grip the targeted object with a uniform grip strength. In addition, the Flexible Hand is designed with just one actuator needed for movement and is therefore both lightweight and extremely user friendly.