Multimedia Gallery
Robotic hand with a delicate grip: Empire robotics at CES 2015
In industry, fragile or difficult-to-grip items require a delicate touch. That's why Empire Robotics, funded by the NSF Small Business Innovation Research program, is bringing the VERSABALL to the marketplace. The VERSABALL is a spherical robotic hand filled with granular material that conforms to and grips objects.
At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, Empire Robotics displayed their innovative soft gripper technology by out-competing human challengers with precision ping pong tossing. In this video, Empire Robotics co-founder John Amend explains how the technology can benefit industry.
Amend is part of a multidisciplinary team of soft robotics experts, materials scientists and experienced automation engineers from diverse technology fields, including agile manufacturing automation, collaborative robotics, prosthetics and space robotics.
Credit: NSF
Images and other media in the National Science Foundation Multimedia Gallery are available for use in print and electronic material by NSF employees, members of the media, university staff, teachers and the general public. All media in the gallery are intended for personal, educational and nonprofit/non-commercial use only.
Videos credited to the National Science Foundation, an agency of the U.S. Government, may be distributed freely. However, some materials within the videos may be copyrighted. If you would like to use portions of NSF-produced programs in another product, please contact the Video Team in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation.
Additional information about general usage can be found in Conditions.