Reversible, detachable robotic hand redefines dexterity
A robotic hand developed at EPFL surpasses the limits of human dexterity with a dual-thumbed, reversible-palm design that can detach from its robotic ‘arm’ to reach and grasp multiple objects.
Peer-Reviewed Publicationimage:
EPFL's detachable crawling robotic hand. 2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA
view moreCredit: 2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA
With its opposable thumb, multiple joints and gripping skin, human hands are often considered to be the pinnacle of dexterity, and many robotic hands are designed in their image. But having been shaped by the slow process of evolution, human hands are far from optimized, with the biggest drawbacks including our single, asymmetrical thumbs and attachment to arms with limited mobility.
“We can easily see the limitations of the human hand when attempting to reach objects underneath furniture or behind shelves, or performing simultaneous tasks like holding a bottle while picking up a chip can,” says Aude Billard, head of the Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory (LASA) in EPFL’s School of Engineering. “Likewise, accessing objects positioned behind the hand while keeping the grip stable can be extremely challenging, requiring awkward wrist contortions or body repositioning.”
A team composed of Billard, LASA researcher Xiao Gao, and Kai Junge and Josie Hughes from the Computational Robot Design and Fabrication Lab designed a robotic hand that overcomes these challenges. Their device, which can support up to six identical silicone-tipped fingers, fixes the problem of human asymmetry by allowing any combination of fingers to form opposing pairs in a thumb-like pinch. Thanks to its reversible design, the ‘back’ and ‘palm’ of the robotic hand are interchangeable. The hand can even detach from its robotic arm and ‘crawl’, spider-like, to grasp and carry objects beyond the arm’s reach.
“Our device reliably and seamlessly performs ‘loco manipulation’ — stationary manipulation combined with autonomous mobility – which we believe has great potential for industrial, service, and exploratory robotics,” Billard summarizes. The research has been published in Nature Communications.
Human applications – and beyond
While the robotic hand looks like something from a futuristic sci-fi movie, the researchers say they drew inspiration from nature.
“Many organisms have evolved versatile limbs that seamlessly switch between different functionalities like grasping and locomotion. For example, the octopus uses its flexible arms both to crawl across the seafloor and open shells, while in the insect world, the praying mantis use specialized limbs for locomotion and prey capture,” Billard says.
Indeed, the EPFL robot can crawl while maintaining a grip on multiple objects, holding them under its ‘palm’, on its ‘back’, or both. With five fingers, the device can replicate most of the traditional human grasps. When equipped with more than five fingers, it can single-handedly tackle tasks usually requiring two human hands – such as unscrewing the cap on a large bottle or driving a screw into a block of wood with a screwdriver.
“There is no real limitation in the number of objects it can hold; if we need to hold more objects, we simply add more fingers,” Billard says.
The researchers foresee applications of their innovative design in real-world settings that demand compactness, adaptability, and multi-modal interaction. For example, the technology could be used to retrieve objects in confined environments or expand the reach of traditional industrial arms. And while the proposed robotic hand is not itself anthropomorphic, they also believe it could be adapted for prosthetic applications.
“The symmetrical, reversible functionality is particularly valuable in scenarios where users could benefit from capabilities beyond normal human function,” Billard says. “For example, previous studies with users of additional robotic fingers demonstrate the brain’s remarkable adaptability to integrate additional appendages, suggesting that our non-traditional configuration could even serve in specialized environments requiring augmented manipulation abilities.”
A Detachable Crawling Robotic Hand [VIDEO]
EPFL's detachable crawling robotic hand. 2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA
Credit
2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA
Journal
Nature Communications
Method of Research
Experimental study
Article Title
A Detachable Crawling Robotic Hand
Article Publication Date
20-Jan-2026
NTU Singapore, Lions Befrienders, Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab, and Lumens unveil multi-sector partnership to empower seniors through robotic innovation
image:
From right: NTU Robotics Research Centre Director Assoc Prof Ang Wei Tech, research associates Chen Jiaye, Yuan Yuan and Wang Youlong, with the DRBA robots.
view moreCredit: NTU Singapore
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), Lions Befrienders (LB), the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab (SUCIL), and Lumens have announced a landmark multi-sector collaboration to deploy a new rehabilitation robot that supports seniors with mobility issues, allowing them to exercise without fear of falling.
As Singapore journeys toward becoming a super-aged society, how do we help our seniors move beyond the fear of falling and reclaim their independence? This initiative marks a milestone in answering that question, representing a true blueprint for community building in Singapore through a “Triple-Helix Innovation”. By uniting the private sector, academia, and social services, the partners have successfully translated high-tech research into life-changing community care.
Called the Data-driven Robotic Balance Assistant (DRBA), the robot was developed in collaboration with Tan Tock Seng Hospital at the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS) – a joint research institute between NTU Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research and NHG Health. The robot aims to support elderly users by improving their balance, assisting with daily activities such as standing and walking, and reducing the burden on caregivers. If a potential fall is detected, the robot provides immediate stability support to catch its user and prevent injuries.
Community trials have successfully concluded at Lions Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centres in Tampines. During these sessions, seniors participated in Zumba and other group exercise classes, with some of them testing DRBA, which provided "intelligent" support that restores confidence without compromising autonomy.
Associate Professor Ang Wei Tech from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who invented DRBA, said: “Falls often result in serious injuries and loss of independence for seniors. With DRBA, our goal is to give seniors confidence to stay active, while enabling caregivers and community partners to provide effective support. By taking rehabilitation beyond hospitals and into neighbourhood centres, we hope to make healthy ageing more accessible for all.”
Ms Karen Wee, Chief Executive Officer, Lions Befrienders, said the partnership has created a safer and more inclusive environment for seniors. “Many seniors may refrain from participating in certain exercises or social activities because they have a risk of falling. By working with NTU and introducing DRBA into our active ageing centres, we are creating a safer and more inclusive environment where seniors can regain confidence, stay active and enjoy a better quality of life.”
This collaboration was made possible through the unique contributions of each partner. While NTU provided the technological soul of the project, Lumens ensured the "mobility of quality of life" by facilitating the logistical transport and deployment of the units, and the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab acted as the catalyst to bridge the gap between high-tech research and industry scalability.
Mr. Chiam Soon Chian, Chief Operating Officer, Lumens Pte Ltd, said: “Mobility is the bridge between independence and quality of life. As Singapore ages, Lumens' role is not just to move people from place to place, but also to use of our fleet to help transport quality of life to the people. Helping transport DRBA to Lions Befrienders is a showcase of using mobility to transport quality of life.”
Mr. Koon Kok Kwong, CTO of the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab, added: “Addressing global mobility challenges and the need for better support for patients, caregivers, and physiotherapists, DRBA has shown it can enhance post-hospital rehabilitation in familiar settings. By integrating eldercare and robotics innovations, the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab is proud to partner with Lions Befrienders, Lumens, and Nanyang Technological University in this trial and is encouraged by today’s results.”
Preventing falls and improving quality of life
The development of DRBA, powered by advanced algorithms and robotics, is aligned with NTU’s goal of driving innovations with societal impact, tackling some of humanity’s greatest challenges through technology.
Falls are among the top causes of injury-related hospitalisations among seniors in Singapore. With the nation’s population ageing rapidly, there is a real need for innovative solutions that promote mobility and prevent accidents among seniors.
DRBA addresses these challenges by combining robotics with real-time data analysis to personalise rehabilitation programmes for each senior. It collects and analyses data from users to create customised training plans. It can also assist seniors with activities such as sitting, standing, and walking, and quickly intervenes if a fall is detected.
The success of this program is a testament to the cross-sector partnership between NTU, Lions Befrienders, SUCIL, and Lumens, showcasing how collective action across different industries can solve deep-seated societal challenges for Singapore’s elderly.
Commercialisation efforts
The robot is now being commercialised through Assoc Prof Ang’s spin-off company, Ability Robotics. The start-up is supported by the NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative and is co-founded by Assoc Prof Ang and his former researcher, Dr Li Lei.
They hope to scale the technology for wider use in Singapore and to enter other rapidly ageing markets in the region. The deep tech start-up is seeking to partner and work with community centres and healthcare organisations to deploy DRBA robots for institutional use, so that more seniors can benefit from the technology. Concurrently, they are also working on MRBA – short for Mobile Robotic Balance Assistant – which is expected to reach the market by 2026.
This collaboration between NTU Singapore, Lions Befrienders, Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab, and Lumens is a great example of how Singapore can promote healthy ageing by leveraging innovation to help seniors remain active, independent, and engaged in the community.
From right: Mr Leow Cher Hwa, senior participant and stroke survivor using the DRBA robot for Zumba class; Mr Koon Kok Kwong, CTO, Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab; Ms Karen Wee, Chief Executive Officer, Lions Befrienders; and MP for Tampines GRC, Asst Prof Charlene Chen, Nanyang Business School, NTU Singapore (middle in white)
From left: NTU Robotics Research Centre Director Assoc Prof Ang Wei Tech; Mr Leow Cher Hwa, senior participant and stroke survivor who used DRBA in a trial; Ms Karen Wee, Chief Executive Officer, Lions Befrienders; and Mr Koon Kok Kwong, CTO, Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab
Credit
NTU Singapore
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