It’s so interesting to see the many sources of technology entering the manufacturing market. In fact, it’s why Fifth Wave Manufacturing was founded. Sensor companies, camera companies, and sonar technologists offer shop-ready solutions. And now a recent deal paves the way for devices originally designed to help people get back to full functionality in the everyday world.
ABB Robotics (Auburn Hills, MI) and bionics company PSYONIC (San Diego, CA) are working together to use real-world manipulation data from human prosthetic use. By combining the PSYONIC Ability Hand with an ABB GoFa™ cobot, the collaboration will explore how touch and motion data generated by human prosthetic use can be used to train robots to perform delicate, variable tasks that have traditionally been difficult to automate.
ABB Robotics named its vision for robots that can sense, reason, move, and handle objects Autonomous Versatile Robots, and the joint project plays a key role. The goal is to advance physical AI in industry: robotic systems that can learn from real-world interaction and apply that intelligence with industrial-grade reliability. The collaboration explores new applications across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, packaging and logistics, and life sciences.
PSYONIC is working closely with ABB Robotics’ R&D team on integration and development, exploring how touch-enabled manipulation can support next-generation autonomous robotics applications.
Originally developed for prosthetic use, the PSYONIC Ability Hand combines myoelectric control, touch sensing and compliant mechanics in a lightweight, multi-articulating design. Its pressure sensors and vibration feedback system enable users to detect contact, grip force and release, while flexible fingers conform naturally to irregular and deformable objects.
To support this work, ABB Robotics’ GoFa provides the accuracy and repeatability required for industrial-grade deployment, ensuring that subtle variations in grip force, finger positioning and movement can be consistently executed and evaluated.
More information: https://www.psyonic.io/ability-hand