Honda unveils dexterous robotic hand to tackle factory labor gaps
Honda Motor Co. has created a multi-fingered robotic hand capable of delicate tasks and plans to commercialise it in the early 2030s to address manufacturing labor shortages.
Honda Motor Co. has developed a robotic hand featuring four fingers and advanced tactile sensing, allowing it to manipulate components as small as a 1.6-millimetre screw and handle loads of up to 5 kilograms. Executive chief engineer Takahide Yoshiike highlighted the hand's smooth, precise movements and a patented drive mechanism that bends like a willow while delivering force efficiently. Full-scale field trials are slated for the company's Yorii factory in Saitama Prefecture, where the robot will process high volumes of subcontractor parts.
This effort marks Honda's shift from the retired ASIMO humanoid to industrial automation aimed at easing labor shortages. Additionally, Honda plans a fiscal-2026 collaboration with research institute RIKEN to develop "Physical AI," enabling robots to acquire new skills independently. The company hopes the technology will let a single robot perform multiple assembly tasks on production lines.
Why it matters
The hand could help manufacturers automate more complex work as skilled labor becomes scarcer.
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