Objective: Senior year biomechatronics project to design & manufacture a prototype underactuated compliant robot hand, capable of gripping a range of household objects. These were affixed to a KUKA robotic arm, and tested extensively. Our design was the highest performing robotic gripper in University of Auckland mechatronics class, successfully gripping and manipulating all objects.

Contribution:

• Solidworks CAD and mechanism design

• Design and manufacture of 3-D printed hardware

• Assembly, calibration, and testing

Takeaways: This was my first practical biomechatronics project, and gave me a lasting interest in this field – particularly with regards to biomimicry and biomimetics; concepts that are becoming increasingly more prevalent in aerospace engineering as well as mechatronics.