David

David
David is a Robust Humanoid with Dexterous Manipulation Skills

The anthropomorphic robot David (formerly the DLR Hand Arm System) has joints with Variable Stiffness Actuators (VSA) that have mechanically adjustable flexibility in the drive train. One objective of development is to approach human capabilities, particularly with regard to dynamics, dexterity, and robustness.
The robot was first presented publicly consisting of one arm with hand  in 2010.

technical data

  
Size:
Adult human
Weight:
approx. 55 kg
Degrees of freedom:
44
Actuation:
83 brushless DC motors
Sensors:
173 position sensors
Speed:
Comparable to humans
Working space:
Comparable to humans
Features:
  • Robust against impacts due to mechanical springs
  • Variable stiffness in all joints
  • Weight-performance ratio similar to humans
  • Anthropomorphic shape
  • Dynamic locomotion through energy storage in the springs


System description

Robotic systems are becoming ever more complex, which increases the risk of costly damages during operation. The increased risk often prevents developers from quickly testing fundamentally new regulatory and planning strategies. In addition, the dynamic characteristics of existing robot systems for dynamic, human-like motion sequences such as running or throwing are insufficient. Conventional actuators cannot provide the peak performance required for this without becoming too large and heavy. We are therefore convinced that great technological leaps in aerospace and service robotics can only be achieved with robotic systems that are robust against “everyday collisions” and have energy storage.

Selected publications

Grebenstein, M., Albu-Schäffer, A., Bahls, T., Chalon, M., Eiberger, O., Friedl, W., Gruber, R., Hagn, U., Haslinger, R., Höppner, H., Jörg, S., Nickl, M., Nothhelfer, A., Petit, F., Pleintinger, B., Reil, J., Seitz, N., Wimböck, T., Wolf, S., Wüsthoff, T. and Hirzinger, G., "The DLR Hand Arm System", Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Shanghai, China, pp. 3175-3182, May 2011.

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