A new generation of robotic hands is about to redefine what we understand by mechanical dexterity, the Californian startup TeTherIApresented the Aero Hand, an open source robotic hand with 16 joints and a tendon-based architecture capable of executing incredibly human tasks such as opening a soda can or holding an iPhone with the appropriate delicacy and firmness.

Unlike traditional industrial robotic hands that rely on individual motors for each finger, the Aero Hand uses an underactuated system, that is, the movements are controlled by interconnected cables, this allows a single pull to move multiple joints at the same time, resulting in more fluid and natural gestures. Instead of forcing the object, the hand adapts to it, reacting to its shape and resistance with the same flexibility as a real human hand.

According to the company, the goal is to democratize research and skillful manipulation, one of the most complex tasks in modern robotics. The Aero Hand is open source, documented, and easy to reproduce with common 3D printers and simple electronics. The system is compatible with ESP32 firmware and ROS2 software, standard in robotics research, allowing immediate integration with existing platforms.

This means that any student or developer can download the code, assemble the hardware and test their own learning and control routines, TeTherIA's public GitHub repository offers all the necessary files, from the 3D design to the motion control source code, in addition to mechanical precision, the Aero Hand introduces a teleoperation module that allows the hand to be controlled remotely and in real time using data capture gloves.

This function makes it possible for the movements of human fingers to be mirrored by the robotic hand, creating an intuitive bridge between human and machine.