Robot hand designed to defuse bombs

(KRQE) Albuquerque - Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have created a robotic hand that can mimic human touch and motion and be deployed to dismantle IEDs without putting troops at risk.

The robot moves like a human hand, grasps like a human hand and even has flesh similar to a human hand.

It is, however, missing a finger.

Project leader Curt Salisbury said they researched the human hand extensively and found all they really needed was four fingers to manipulate objects.

The mission of this hand is to help dismantle improvised explosive devices so that U.S. troops don't have to take on the dangerous work, Salisbury said.

And while there are other robotic hands out there, this one allows the handlers to do more forensics on the explosives before detonating them, he added.

That will also help them determine where the parts came from and maybe reveal the supply chain for the bomb.

Another important element is the cost. This hand utilizes commercial parts from items like cell phones, which makes it much cheaper to build.

It will cost about $10,000 to build compared to the $250,000 to build other hands.

Salisbury said the hope is the hand can be widely used by bomb technicians in the next couple years.

There is also hope that the hand can be developed further for commercial and household use.

The scientist's next challenge: building a robotic arm to attach to the hand.