This Robot Hand has Fingernails

It is no secret that our nails protect the tips of our fingers and toes, which have lots of nerve endings. But they also come handy for grabbing and manipulating objects. In older times, our ancestors relied on their nails to scratch and dig. What if we gave robots nails? That’s what this video from Dongho Kang explores:

Thanks to this approach, robots can pick up coins and cards and achieve better tactile sensing. These fingernails also assist with dynamic manipulation.

[HT]