Sanctuary AI Achieves Milestone with 21 DoF Robotic Hands Capable of In-Hand Manipulation

Sanctuary AI's Breakthrough in Robotic Dexterity

Vancouver-based AI and robotics company Sanctuary AI has announced a significant advancement in robotic technology with the development of highly dexterous robotic hands. These hands, featuring 21 degrees of freedom (DoF), are capable of performing intricate in-hand manipulation, marking a crucial step towards creating general-purpose robots with human-like intelligence 1

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Technical Innovations

The robotic hands employ miniaturized hydraulic valves for actuation, offering several advantages over traditional cable and electromechanical systems:

1. Higher power density
2. Improved speed and strength
3. Enhanced controllability
4. Better durability and cycle life
5. Superior impact resistance
6. Efficient heat management

James Wells, interim CEO and CCO at Sanctuary AI, stated, "Our ambition is to build a reliable system with human-level dexterity. We have also recently achieved a milestone of testing our hydraulic valve actuators over 2 billion cycles without signs of leakage or degradation" 2

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Integration with Phoenix Robot

These advanced hands are integrated into Sanctuary AI's general-purpose robot, Phoenix. This integration enhances the training of the company's control system, Carbon, by providing detailed behavioral data. The system demonstrates seamless transitions between human-like actions such as picking, reorienting, and placing objects – tasks essential in industrial settings 2

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Hydraulic System Advantages

The hydraulic system used in these robotic hands offers significant benefits:

1. Higher power density compared to electromechanical actuators
2. Enhanced controllability
3. Faster and stronger movements
4. Millimeter-level finger precision

To overcome historical challenges of integrating hydraulics into humanoid designs, Sanctuary AI has miniaturized actuators and valve systems to approximately the size of a coin. The system operates at low pressure, comparable to consumer-grade hydraulic bicycle brakes, and uses food-safe oil for safety and reliability 2

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Implications for Industry

This advancement expands the potential for robots to perform complex industrial tasks requiring fine motor skills. The modular design of the system supports future collaborations with both humanoid and non-humanoid robots, paving the way for widespread application in various industries 1

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Competition in the Field

While Sanctuary AI has made significant progress, other companies are also advancing in the field of humanoid robotics. For instance, Tesla recently showcased its humanoid robot, Optimus, displaying 22 DoF and demonstrating capabilities such as playing rock, paper, scissors and walking over rough, slippery terrain 2

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Future Prospects

Sanctuary AI, established in 2018, aims to create robots with human-like intelligence to address global labor challenges while promoting safety and efficiency in the workplace. This latest development brings them closer to their goal of developing reliable systems with human-level dexterity, potentially revolutionizing industrial automation and robotics 1

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