2024.07.19
Panasonic Group People
Developing a Robot Hand with Controlled Gripping Force
Playing a Role in Automated Logistics Systems: Shohei Taniguchi
Series:
- AI & Robotics
Robotics
Integrates sensing, control, and actuation
Gentle grip control for handling various objects
Leader in technological development and business creation specializing in force control technology
Shohei Taniguchi
Robotics Promotion Office
Manufacturing Innovation Division
Panasonic Holdings Corporation
Joined Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. in 2004. He was involved in the advanced development and commercialization of the Real Pro massage chair after being assigned to the Engineering Division. Later, after collaborating with a startup on robotic home appliances, he took his current role in June 2022. He has been at the forefront of developing technologies that precisely control the force applied by robots to humans and objects and holds a Doctorate in Engineering.
Developing Robotic Technology and Creating Businesses for a Well-Being Society
Our Robotics Promotion Office envisions a well-being society where people thrive, free from the heavy burdens of modern work and life. We are committed to developing core technologies and creating businesses that help robots provide value to society and customers, positioning them as essential living infrastructure.
I lead the development and commercialization of technologies for flexible manipulation of objects by robot arms and hands. Using technology that appropriately controls the force applied to humans and objects, I am focusing on commercializing a “picking hand” that can dexterously and gently grasp anything for the logistics and manufacturing industries. I am deeply committed to rapidly implementing robotic automation and work support in society to help address the critical social issue of labor shortages.
Leveraging Massage Chair Insights in Logistics Applications
I had been researching force control since I was a student. Upon joining the company, I was placed in charge of the advanced development of massage chairs. To achieve a massage that feels more like a human hand, I focused on the fact that massage therapists always feel the pressure on their hands while adjusting the force they apply. I reproduced this using three elements of robotics technology: sensing, control, and actuation. In 2008, this work gave rise to the world’s first force-controlled massage machine, the Real Pro. One key point was that to sell it to the general public, we used our proprietary low-cost sensors instead of the expensive ones used for research to enable mass production.
Meanwhile, at logistics sites, a wide variety of goods are handled, including products that are soft or fragile. The robot hand must be able to gently and reliably pick up these objects without crushing or dropping them. We achieved advanced force control technology at a low cost by using the knowledge of the perfect amount of force developed with the Real Pro. Another key point was the design of the hand. The gripper, which features a unique mechanism with a belt attached to the inside, can gently move an object by rotating the belt while adjusting the force applied after grabbing it lightly. We repeated the process of formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, and verifying results. Obtaining ideas from our colleagues, we are also working to optimize sensor characteristics and develop force sensors and force control algorithms. As a result, we achieved highly advanced picking actions, including gripping both hard and soft objects steadily and dexterously, changing the orientation of objects in the hand, and packing objects expertly into boxes.
The belts inside the robot hand move, allowing the strawberry to be turned without being squashed. When the belts move in opposite directions, the strawberry rotates. Force control and belt drive make this possible. It’s a must-see!
Enhancing Force Control Technology for Human-Robot Coexistence
We are developing a prototype that showcases improved reliability and durability, aiming to demonstrate its capabilities at customer work sites. At the same time, we strive to provide a “picking hand” that can dexterously and gently grasp anything as a robotics solution while collaborating with the systems developed by Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd., which aims to optimize the supply chain, including logistics. We are currently appealing to customers through demonstrations at exhibitions* and other events, responding to inquiries about demonstrations at customer work sites, and aiming to introduce the system as quickly as possible and make it useful for them.
＊A demonstration of the robotic hand that achieves picking automation, exhibited at Kansai Logix 2024 (Japanese only)
As an approach to the labor shortage that impedes the realization of an ideal society offering material and spiritual affluence, we will first build our track record in the logistics field. Afterward, we will expand our services to various factories, work sites, delivery centers, retail stores, and other spheres of life before moving into living spaces. The deployment of force control technology is the key to automating tasks that involve contact with humans and objects. While continuing to refine our technological strengths, we will integrate different technologies and systems, accumulate expertise to propose solutions that meet increasing demands, and evolve the solution into robots that coexist with people and play an active role that is indispensable to the world.
Share:
