Sanctuary Ai Unveils Revolutionary Robotic Hand Capable Of Performing Complex Object Manipulations With Precision And

Sanctuary AI Makes Significant Breakthrough in In-Hand Manipulation with Robust Dexterity

A groundbreaking video unveiled by Sanctuary AI showcases its 21-degree-of-freedom (DOF) dexterous robotic hand effortlessly manipulating objects with precision and finesse. The innovative hand, featuring miniaturized hydraulic valves instead of traditional servos or cable-based tendons, demonstrates an order of magnitude higher power density.

According to James Wells, CEO and chief commercial officer at Sanctuary AI, achieving in-hand manipulation with a scalable and reliable system is pivotal towards demonstrating the breadth and viability of capable general-purpose robots. “Our ambition is to build a reliable system with human-level dexterity,” he stated. “We’ve recently tested our hydraulic valve actuators over 2 billion cycles without any signs of leakage or degradation, showcasing our commitment to innovation and reliability.”

This achievement comes on the heels of OpenAI’s notable demonstration of in-hand manipulation with a single robotic hand, solving a Rubik’s cube in 2019. Although OpenAI subsequently shut down its robotics group, the company has since relaunched its efforts in May 2024.

Sanctuary AI’s general-purpose robot, Phoenix, which employs its control architecture called Carbon, continues to benefit from the enriched behavioral data garnered through this new level of dexterity. The company’s modular design for its dexterous robotic hands enables seamless partnerships and integrations with both non-humanoid and humanoid robots, further expanding its capabilities.

The company has received additional funding, bringing its total investment to $140 million, solidifying its position as a leader in the robotics industry. While Phoenix is currently being tested, Sanctuary AI has not announced any sales of its solution to date. The primary focus on manipulation will be crucial for the robot’s functionality, with the possibility of leveraging bipedal motion or other methods for navigation in the future.

Sanctuary AI’s new leadership is also noteworthy, as CEO James Wells takes the reins following the departure of founder Geordie Rose, who recently left to pursue quantum computing endeavors. Rose founded a new company called Snowdrop Quantum and announced its launch on LinkedIn in September 2023. Wells held the role of chief commercial officer for four years before assuming his current position.

As the robotics landscape continues to evolve, Sanctuary AI’s groundbreaking achievements are poised to make significant waves in the industry, solidifying its position as a major player in the pursuit of human-level dexterity and general-purpose robots.