Robotic glove technology, developed out of a partnership between General Motors (GM) and NASA for use on the International Space Station, is being brought to life in manufacturing, healthcare and other applications though a licensing agreement between GM and Bioservo Technologies AB, a Swedish medical technology company.
Working with GM, Bioservo will combine technology from its SEM Glove (Soft Extra Muscle) technology with the RoboGlove, a force-multiplying wearable developed during GM and NASA’s nine-year collaboration that included the launch of Robonaut 2 (R2), a humanoid robot, into space in 2011.
The RoboGlove uses leading-edge sensors, actuators and tendons that are comparable to the nerves, muscles and tendons in a human hand. One design requirement for R2 was to operate tools designed for humans, and developers managed to achieve unprecedented hand dexterity. That technology was applied to the RoboGlove.
Bioservo will initially develop a new grasp assist device for industrial use that could increase efficiency while reducing fatigue in hand muscles. Research shows fatigue can occur within a few minutes of continuously gripping a tool.
GM intends to be the first US manufacturing customer for the Bioservo-refined robotic glove and will test it in some of its plants. Bioservo will make and sell the new glove for a variety of uses, including medical rehabilitation and any place where additional gripping strength is needed.
GM briefly tested RoboGlove in a pre-production plant before looking for a commercial partner to help refine it to fit different-size hands and address other issues.
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