Holding an object is one thing. Changing your grip while using it is another.
DEXTEROUS MANIPULATION
The world of dexterous hands.
Compare hardware. Discover applications. Share what works. An open reference and community for dexterous manipulation.
Curiosity is enough to start.
Learn the basics of robotic hands. No hardware required.
A bigger number does not automatically mean a better hand.
Cameras see the scene. Touch sensors can reveal what happens at contact.
Human control, programmed motion and learned behavior answer different questions.
A short clip is a starting point for questions, not a complete performance test.
Start with a question, a paper or a small simulation.
Start with a model you can inspect, then record what it does—and what it leaves out.
Retargeting connects two different mechanisms. Begin by checking the mapping.
Human motion, simulated trajectories and robot demonstrations answer different questions.
Start building.
A small collection of official resources to take a question into an experiment. Suggest a tool or tutorial with its original source.
LeRobot ↗
Tools and documentation for robot datasets and learning workflows.
MuJoCo ↗
An open-source physics engine for robotics research and development.
ROS ↗
Start with the official ROS documentation and ecosystem.
Open Robotics Discourse ↗
Find related technical discussions and community events.
Research labs
Interactive Perception and Robot Learning Lab (IPRL)
Perception and robot learning for autonomous manipulation.
Assistive Robotics and Manipulation Lab (ARMLab)
Dexterous manipulation, teleoperation and DenseTact tactile research.
Biomimetics and Dextrous Manipulation Lab (BDML)
Grasping, tactile interaction and novel robot mechanisms.
Embodied Dexterity Group (EDG)
Embodied interaction, grasping and hardware morphology.
Robot Learning Lab
Robot learning, reinforcement learning and imitation learning.
Dexterous Manipulation and Soft Robotics Lab
Dexterous manipulation, motion retargeting and soft hand mechanisms.
Robot Locomotion Group
Dynamics, control and learning, with manipulation a current focus.
Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Lab (ROAM)
Dexterous manipulation, tactile/proprioceptive sensing and teleoperation.
Robot Perception and Learning Lab (RPL)
Robot perception and learning for manipulation and embodied intelligence.
Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence · dexterity research
A June 2026 university report describes in-hand cube and dual-arm learning experiments.
EmPRISE Lab
Assistive manipulation, haptic perception and tactile sensing for daily activities.
Improbable AI Lab
Force-centric dexterous manipulation and simulation-based training.
Soft Robotics Lab
Develops soft robotic systems and its own ORCA hand.
Robotic Systems Lab
Mobile/legged robots, manipulation and actuator engineering.
Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory (LASA)
Learning and control for robot interaction and manipulation.
CREATE-LAB
Robot brain/body co-design includes hand mechanisms and sensing.
Chair of Media Technology · Robot Perception and Robot Learning
Visual/tactile perception, teleoperation and contact-rich robot learning.
High Performance Humanoid Technologies (H²T)
Humanoid systems and manipulation around the ARMAR platforms.
Robotics and Biology Laboratory (RBO)
Soft manipulation research includes its own RBO hands.
REDS Lab
Robotic mechanisms, dexterous grasping and tactile dexterity.
Mistry Research Group
Dexterous movement, contact control, humanoids and manipulation.
Tactile Robotics Group
Tactile robotics includes TacTip sensing and dexterous hand research.
Soft Robotics for Human Cooperation and Rehabilitation
Soft robotics and human interaction; IIT has its own SoftHand research.
Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics · hands research
Develops dexterous hands, grippers and manipulation technologies.
Organizations
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Research conferences, publications and technical communities across robotics and automation.
NIST · Robotic manipulation performance
Measurement methods for robotic grasping, manipulation and contact safety.
ASTM Committee F45
Standards and test-method work for robotics, automation and autonomous systems.
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
Automation industry network, education and the Automate exhibition.
International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
Robotics market statistics and industry information.
euRobotics
European robotics community, topic groups and the European Robotics Forum.
MassRobotics
Robotics startup community and industry connections.
ARM Institute
Robotics and AI for manufacturing, with technology and workforce programs.
VDMA Robotics + Automation
Robotics, assembly and handling, and machine-vision industry networks.
Open Robotics
Open robotics software communities including ROS, Gazebo and Open-RMF.
Events
RoboBoston
Local community visit if available; do not rush a new exhibit.
IROS
Research introductions and lab appointments through a ready local representative; count once in Q3.
RoboBusiness
Book OEM and co-host meetings; visit first, upgrade to a partner demo only if ready.
SPS
Industrial distributor / actuator meetings; substitute for one Q4 slot rather than add a third mandatory trip.
IEEE Humanoids
Humanoid engineers and research labs; align Bay Area visits and a proposed SDK clinic, with organizer approval for conference participation.
CES
Technology exhibition with broader commercial and OEM audiences.
MD&M West · Automation
Meet machine builders, integrators and motion distributors in the Automation sector; current event umbrella for former ATX West.
Hannover Messe
Industrial technology, manufacturing and automation.
RoboSoft
Soft robotics research; Brisbane is outside the current US/Europe travel focus.
Automate
Automation technologies, integrators and industrial suppliers.
ICRA
Robotics and automation research; Seoul is outside the current US/Europe travel focus.
Robotics Summit & Expo
Engineering and components for commercial robot development.
automatica
Automation, robotics and production technology.
RSS
Robotics research, including learning, perception and manipulation.
World Haptics
Haptics research and touch-based interaction.
IROS
Intelligent robots and systems research; 2027 dates require reconfirmation.
SPS
Industrial automation, motion and control systems.