Embodied Dexterity Group

Design for interaction in challenging environments

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.

Welcome to…

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

Robotic devices face a rapidly expanding range of potential applications, including remote exploration, search-and-rescue, and human and household assistance. In many of these cases, dexterous manipulation and hands are at the heart of physical interactions. However, current machines have limited capabilities in comparison to their biological counterparts. Our group improves robot and human dexterity through building end-effectors and mechanisms with embodied intelligence and robustness, especially for challenging unstructured environments. This includes the design of (1) novel grippers, hands and exoskeletons, (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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Joining EDG

Currently-enrolled UC Berkeley students: 
Berkeley graduate students are welcomed to email your interests and experience directly to Professor Stuart. Undergraduates: there are currently no positions available.

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.