Linkerbot Linker Hand L20 16-DOF High-Performance Robotic Hand

Dexterous robotic hands for precise manipulation

Linkerbot develops dexterous robotic hands for demanding manipulation tasks in humanoid robotics, research, and industrial automation. Unlike classic two-finger grippers, five-fingered robotic hands enable significantly more versatile gripping movements. Objects can not only be picked up and put down, but specifically held, rotated, aligned, or manipulated with various grip patterns.

This makes Linker Hands particularly suitable for applications where object shapes or tasks change and a rigid gripper reaches its limits. The human-like kinematics also create an important foundation for modern humanoid robots, which are increasingly being used for research, development, and industrial pilot projects.

Linker Hand models for different requirements

The Linkerbot portfolio includes various robotic hands with different technical focuses. Models such as Linker Hand O6, L6, L10, L20, O30, and L30 differ in terms of, among other things, agility, the number of active and passive degrees of freedom, weight, gripping force, speed, and drive technology.

As a result, the same hardware does not have to be used for every application. Compact robotic hands, for example, are suitable for systems where a low moving mass is important. Highly agile models, on the other hand, offer additional possibilities for complex finger positions and demanding manipulation tasks.

Linkerbot also pursues different technological approaches. Depending on the model, linkage drives, cable drives, or direct drives are used. This allows robotic hands to be selected more specifically based on dynamics, precision, and integration requirements.

Robotic hands for humanoid robots and Embodied AI

A high-performance hand is one of the most important components of a humanoid robot. Movement and perception alone are not enough if a system is to actively interact with its environment. Only suitable hands enable, for example, the grasping of tools, the operation of controls, the sorting of objects, or the positioning of components.

Dexterous hands are therefore particularly relevant for Embodied AI. In this context, AI systems learn not only from digital information but interact with the real environment via sensors and actuators. A multi-fingered robotic hand significantly expands the available action possibilities and enables more complex training and manipulation scenarios.

For companies and research institutions that wish to consider complete platforms, Terra Robotics offers a wide range of humanoid robots for industry and research in addition to robotic hands.

Flexible gripping technology for automation and assembly

Linkerbot robotic hands can also be used as end-effectors in industrial applications. They are particularly interesting where different workpieces are handled or different types of grips are required within a process.

Possible applications range from picking up small components and aligning and inserting parts to tool handling. The individually or differentially movable fingers enable tasks that would only be possible to a limited extent with classic parallel grippers or would require multiple specialized grippers.

Whether a dexterous robotic hand is economically viable depends on the specific process. Parts variety, required precision, cycle time, object geometry, and integration effort should be considered together. Further solutions for industrial manipulation tasks can be found in the Assembly & Handling section.

Teleoperation and data for learning robotic systems

Another focus of the Linkerbot ecosystem is the connection of robotic hardware with teleoperation and motion data acquisition. Human movements can serve as a basis for transferring complex manipulation sequences to robotic systems or for collecting training data for learning-based models.

This is particularly interesting for Robot Learning, Imitation Learning, and research projects. Instead of programming every single movement exclusively by hand, demonstration data can be used to develop new behaviors and gripping strategies.

For this purpose, Linkerbot supplements its robotic hands with further hardware and development solutions. This creates an ecosystem that supports not only the actual end-effector but also research and development surrounding dexterous manipulation.

Development, programming, and research

For universities, research laboratories, and development departments, robotic hands are also of interest as open development platforms. For this purpose, Linkerbot provides technical documentation, communication protocols, development resources, and 3D data depending on the product.

As a result, custom control algorithms, gripping strategies, or AI applications can be developed and tested. At the same time, mechanical adapters and installation situations can be taken into account during the design phase.

In addition to professional research platforms, Terra Robotics offers other solutions specifically for teaching, training, and robotics development in the Educational Robot section.

What is important when choosing a Linkerbot robotic hand?

The robotic hand with the most degrees of freedom is not automatically the best solution. What is decisive is which movements the specific application actually requires.

Important selection criteria include active degrees of freedom, passive degrees of freedom, gripping force, weight, speed, dimensions, communication interface, and sensor technology. The existing robot platform also plays an important role. Weight and size, for example, influence the payload and dynamics of a robotic arm.

In research applications, on the other hand, maximum agility, development access, and data acquisition may be more important than particularly high gripping force. For industrial processes, however, repeatability, reliability, and integration into existing control systems are more in the foreground.

Buying a Linkerbot robotic hand and integrating it into existing systems

Anyone wanting to buy a Linkerbot robotic hand should therefore not exclusively compare individual data sheet values. The interaction between the robotic hand, robot platform, control system, and planned application is crucial.

Terra Robotics provides support in selecting the appropriate Linker Hand and with the technical coordination for research, humanoid robotics, and industrial applications. Together, requirements such as agility, gripping force, weight, interfaces, and desired sensor technology can be evaluated.

You can find an overview of the manufacturer and the various solutions on our Linkerbot manufacturer page. If a specific project is already being planned, you can coordinate your requirements with us directly via our robotics consultation.