A hardware technology startup outside of Vancouver is aiming to replicate human-level functionality in a robotic hand.
“We are bringing to market a near-human robotic hand for system integrators and manufacturers, who are dissatisfied with heavy, bulky, expensive, and low-dexterity end-effectors,” states Sarcomere Dynamics, founded in Abbotsford.
Using proprietary actuator technology, “we can provide our customers a compact, lightweight, strong, and highly dexterous robotic hand that matches human performance and functionality,” the company says.
The remarkably dexterous robo-hand is human-hand sized and weights a modest 800 grams, according to Sarcomere—yet is still able to exercise 22 degrees of freedom and generate up to three kilograms of force at the fingertips.
Constructed for industrial applications, the hand was built to automate complex industrial tasks not possible with conventional grippers.
“This compact, lightweight, high dexterity, robotic hand replicates human functionality, allowing the automation of tasks in dynamic environments,” the startup explains.
The hand integrates with artificial intelligence and machine learning models to handle complex tasks for a wide variety of industry uses. It is called “The 3D Hand,” with the three D’s standing for the “Dull, Dirty, Dangerous” tasks that Sarcomere looks to automate through robotics and AI.
The 3D Hand is expected to be market-ready in 2024. And with plans to develop additional hands for even more use cases, all of their robotic models will be compatible with each other, according to Sarcomere.
Sarcomere Dynamics went through an early-stage accelerator at entrepreneurship@UBC in 2021, graduating last year from the HATCH Builder program. The company also competed in the 22nd annual New Ventures BC Competition, cracking the top 25.
Another hardware startup in BC that is innovating the robotics sector is the well-funded Sanctuary AI, which recently deployed an intelligent robot to work in a Mark’s retail store in Langley.
Sarcomere was founded by Abbotsford’s Avtar Mandaher, a graduate of UBC’s engineering program, who serves as chief technology officer for his startup.
Leave a Reply