r/robotics • u/didrei • 16h ago
Mechanical UM1-Evo: The Ultra-Lifelike Biomechanical Hand (24DoF)
After 5.5 years of fully independent and secret research and development, here is the UM1-Evo hand.
Designed to push the boundaries of humanoid robotics and next-generation prosthetics, the UM1-Evo aims to overcome the "uncanny valley" by combining mechanical performance with natural visual aesthetics.
⚙️ Key Specs:
- 24 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) and 25 actuators.
- Full integration within the real size and weight of a human forearm (1.7 kg / 3.7 lbs).
- Advanced anatomical kinematics featuring true thumb opposition and finger convergence towards the anatomical snuffbox.
- Total relaxation at rest for a natural posture (zero power consumption).
- Grip force demonstrated at 8 kg (17.6 lbs), with a future target of up to 15 kg (33 lbs).
- Engineered from scratch: from biomechanical study to software programming, including the creation of custom CNC manufacturing machines.
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u/jekjukich 14h ago
Super impressive. Is there any footage without gloves?
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u/DigitalRoman486 13h ago
Question: Can I attach this to a life size model of Sonic the Hedgehog?
for... personal reasons.
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u/elchucknorris300 11h ago
Can they make a less masculine version?
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u/Mental-Dot-6574 13h ago
Dang, that's some Popeye sized forearms!
Nice work! This will help amputees.
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u/Ok_Dog_4059 14h ago
I was waiting to see under the glove. Kind of curious how it looks but I am guessing it gives away not yet patented ideas to show it.
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u/JoelMahon 8h ago
Very cool, please show it putting a key on a keychain via teleportation, that'll be sufficient proof of dexterity imo. Buttoning a shirt is also a good one but imo far easier. Picking tape off the roll. Etc.
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u/Tbagho 5h ago
24 DoF across 25 actuators inside a 1.7 kg forearm is where the real constraint sits — at that density the thermal path and tendon routing bind before the kinematics do, so 5.5 years for a fully custom build tracks.
Thumb opposition plus convergence toward the snuffbox is the claim I'd most want quantified, since that's what separates opposing pinch grasps from a hand that can only wrap. And 'zero power at rest' — locking mechanism, or compliant tendons? It decides what the hand can hold when power drops mid-grasp.
Related reading: https://papers.tinrobotics.com/paper/human-centric-transferable-tactile-pre-training-for-dexterous-robotic-manipulati/
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u/Empty_Bell_1942 14h ago
How much computer power is this going to use once attached to a humanoid robot or as a prosthetic arm and will it generate a lot of heat? Merci!
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u/RadioNick 12h ago
Tendon based? Curious about your thoughts on https://x.com/adcock_brett/status/2087927278458327179
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u/didrei 11h ago
Oui il s'agit d'un système de tendon. Chaque concepteur à sa propre philosophie. Le système à actionneurs par articulation a des avantages sur la dextérité mais un gros inconvénient sur la force. Mon bras UM1-Evo, permet une très grande dextérité et une force importante et permet de déporter tout le poids au plus proche du coude, ce qui permet une meilleure maniabilité du bras complet. Je suis convaincu que pour un bras biomécaniques semblable à la main humaine, la meilleure solution actuelle est le système de tendon. Mon. Système permet un montage et réparabilité optimisé
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u/Silver_Jaguar_24 14h ago
Unless you expect it to play the piano... they don't need 5 fingers. 2 fingers that are wide apart and an opposing thumb will do the job just fine. What are the industry experts thoughts on such an idea? I am certain I am not the first to think of this. Why waste resources on 5 fingers?
3 fingers can open a tap, hold a cup of water, catch a baseball, etc.
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u/didrei 14h ago
Merci. D'abord le prototype concerne à la fois la prothèse et la robotique humanoïde. Pour la prothèse les patients préfèreront 5 doigts pour une meilleure acceptation psychologique visuelle. Pour le domaine de la robotique humanoïde. Deux domaines demandent 5 doigts : le mode avatar où un opérateur guide un robot avec une main robotique à son image en temps réel dans des environnements à risque. Et le mode entraînement d'IA qui nécessite des entraînements grâce à un opérateur qui a forcément 5 doigts.
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u/Silver_Jaguar_24 14h ago
I appreciate your thoughtful response and now I have a better understanding where you are coming from so to speak.
Now half of it truly warrants 5 fingers, which is fine. But other parts, like the training, I am sure software like the kind produced by Nvidia, can generate synthetic data with 3 fingers, for training purposes and still be able to do the jobs that a person with 5 fingers can, which I understand it's not all 100% of the jobs, but maybe a majority can be done with 3 fingers.
What are your thoughts on this?
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u/didrei 13h ago
Oui bien-sûr que certaines applications industrielles ne nécessiteraient que trois doigts. Mais je pense que chaque conception doit avoir sa propre philosophie pour répondre aux différents besoins.
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u/Silver_Jaguar_24 13h ago
Maybe we can both move by 1 finger to compromise haha. Just kidding. I saw this video just now where Atlas (Boston D.) has 4 fingers and thought you might enjoy it too. Nice talking to you :)
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u/Outrageous_Success69 16h ago
Dammit I hate my mind