Bridgestone rubber-based robotics unit can handle objects of varying shapes

Tokyo – Bridgestone Soft Robotics Ventures has developed a soft robot hand which can pick up objects with different shapes, hardness and materials, using artificial rubber-based muscles.

Tetote, being unveiled during the Tokyo International Logistics Expo 10-13 Sept, features four fingers powered by rubber muscles, which are “impact resistance, light weight, and highly efficient.” 

The robotic hand has been developed to automate various tasks that currently rely on humans, such as piece picking at logistic sites, said Bridgestone 3 Sept.

Unlike conventional robotic hands that can pick up flat objects, Tetote can handle objects of various shapes, leveraging both the ‘suction’ function of robots and the ‘hand design’ feature that aids in grasping products.

The combination of features, Bridgestone claims, makes it possible to handle “tens of thousands” of daily items distributed in Japan.

As previously reported by ERJ, Bridgestone is considering soft robotics as one of its ‘exploratory businesses’, to gauge its potential for growth.

The business relies heavily on Bridgestone’s knowledge of rubber materials, incorporating the expertise in artificial muscles for robots.

In addition, Bridgestone said it is currently working with partners on a concept to develop a piece-picking robot system that combines "hands" with IA-powered eye and brain.

The system enables robots to pick a wide variety of objects after "instantly recognising and identifying them" at logistics work sites.

This makes the robots autonomous, helping the automation of warehouses in the future.