Embodied Dexterity Group

Design for interaction in challenging environments

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Left: Simple, robust, compliant hands enable this humanoid diver, Ocean One, to perform both wrap grasps and precision pinching. Photo credit: Frederic Osada and Teddy Seguin, DRASSM / Stanford University. Right: Students in the Augmenting Human Dexterity class fit a prosthesis during the Jacobs Design Showcase in Fall 2018. Photo credit: Adriel Olmos, CITRIS, UC Berkeley.

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Welcome to EDG

Key words: Dexterous manipulation; Robotics; Bioinspired design; Soft and multi-material mechanisms; Skin contact conditions; Tactile sensing and haptics.

Robots face a rapidly expanding range of potential applications, including remote exploration, search-and-rescue, surgery and household assistance. In many of these cases, the focus of interaction is via the robot’s end-effectors. However, current manipulators have limited capabilities in comparison to their biological counterparts. Our group is interested in improving robot dexterity through building end-effectors with embodied intelligence and robustness, especially for challenging unstructured environments. This includes the design of (1) novel grippers and hands, (2) touch perception for autonomous or teleoperated interventions and (3) bioinspired manipulation strategies. This vision includes the advancement of relevant design analysis tools and the validation of concepts by applying technologies in the field.

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Funding sources
Non-UCB Collaborators

Joining EDG

Currently-enrolled UC Berkeley students: 
Berkeley graduate students are welcomed to email your interests and experience directly to Professor Stuart. Undergraduates: due to demand, experienced students who can apply 10+ hours per week over multiple semesters or years will be prioritized.

Not a member of UC Berkeley? 
Visiting student researchers of any kind (high school, undergraduate or graduate) are not being considered for EDG. You must apply through undergraduate or graduate admissions to become a UC Berkeley student first, or apply to conduct research through another established program.