A self-contained robotic hand developed at ETH Zurich can use its fingers to move, support its weight and interact with objects—an uncanny sight that invites comparison with Thing from The Addams Family. The project, called “Fingers as Legs,” is a research prototype, not a product or a general-purpose autonomous robot.
What is the walking robot hand?
The Soft Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich built the prototype around an off-the-shelf anthropomorphic robotic hand, retaining its original finger design and position controller. Its five fingers have 20 powered joints. A compact module adds power, sensing and computing onboard; the lab gives the resulting system’s mass as 818 g. The project page does not identify the hand’s manufacturer or model.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The work is described in a 2026 preprint, “Fingers as Legs: Learning Self-Supported Locomotion and Manipulation with an Anthropomorphic Hand,” by Amirhossein Kazemipour, Hehui Zheng and Robert Katzschmann. It is a preprint, not evidence of peer-reviewed journal publication. ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab project page · arXiv:2609.17172
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow can a hand walk on its fingers?
The hand has to solve a balancing problem as it moves. A finger lifted to make a step is no longer supporting the body; the remaining fingers must keep the platform stable. As the paper’s authors put it, “A walking robotic hand must use the same fingers to move its body, support its weight, and interact with the environment.”
#1 Best Overall
- Build your own awesome, wearable mechanical hand that you operate with your own fingers.
- No motors, no batteries — just the power of air pressure, water, and your own hands!
- Hydraulic pistons enable the mechanical fingers to open and close and grip objects with enough force to lift them. Every finger joint can be adjusted to different angles for precision movement.
- Three configurations: right hand, left hand, and claw-like; adjustable to fit virtually any human hand.
- Learn how pneumatic and hydraulic systems are used in industrial robots such as automobile components..2021 The Toy Association's STEAM Toy Of The Year Winner
The researchers used reinforcement learning in a simulator calibrated with measurements from the physical hardware. That approach accounts for the hand’s unequal fingers while training task-specific control policies, which run onboard. The resulting design uses the same fingers for locomotion and interaction rather than adding wheels or a separate movement mechanism.
What has the hand demonstrated?
The lab reports several hardware demonstrations. The figures below describe those specific trials, not standardized benchmarks or guarantees of performance in other settings.
Rank #2
- ACTION-PACKED FUN TIME: Bring out your inner super hero with this exciting mechanical machine. Our step-by-step instructional manual ensures a deeply engaging DIY experience, perfect for kids to construct and enjoy for hours. Designed for Boys and Girls for ages, 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 years old
- DEVELOPS KEY SKILLS: Reduce screen time and boost confidence and creativity with 100% screen-free engagement. As kids build their own toys, they learn about the science around us, developing a lifelong love for science.
- FREE PARTS LIFETIME: Enjoy hassle free fun with all parts included, plus a lifetime supply of replacement parts. Easy-to-follow instructions make building a breeze, ensuring uninterrupted playtime.
- MADE FROM SUSTAINABLE WOOD: Made from the highest quality engineered wood, our toys are completely safe for kids and boast long-lasting durability.
- ULTIMATE GIFT: Give the gift of entertainment and learning combined. Ideal for birthdays gifts for boys and girls, this makes for a thoughtful present that providing endless hours of enjoyment and learning for kids
| Demonstration | Reported result and conditions |
|---|---|
| Movement across surfaces | Demonstrated on 14 surfaces, including carpet, gravel, grass, metal grating, asphalt and tile; Soft Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, 2026. |
| Recovering after a fall | 21 of 25 successful hardware recoveries (84%) across two fall directions; Soft Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, 2026. |
| Keyboard commands | 29 of 32 commands correct, with a 0.25-second median latency for correct presses. Trials began with manual alignment, used no visual feedback, and steering remained asymmetric; Soft Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, 2026. |
| Pushing cubes to targets | 17 mm mean final target error across 15 shown cube deliveries. The demonstration used overhead visual feedback; Soft Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, 2026. |
What are its limits?
The demonstrations use different conditions and should not be read as a single autonomous capability. Crawling is under operator control, and the project does not present general autonomous navigation. Keyboard trials use manual initial alignment and no vision; cube pushing uses overhead visual feedback. Each skill has its own policy.
The prototype shows how a compact mobile manipulator might reuse its fingers for both movement and work. A detached hand reaching into a confined space or retrieving a tool is a possible future application discussed in coverage, not a demonstrated deployment. The project does not establish that the prototype is available for purchase.
Rank #3
- Discover Engineering with a Real Robotic Arm Kit：This complete engineering kit includes motors, a micro controller, and circuit boards. As kids build and operate this robotic arm kit, they will experience how electronics control movement. It’s the perfect hands-on introduction to robotics and circuits for ages 8-12 and up, blending 3D construction with practical STEM learning
- Full 270° Motion & Multi-Axis Control：Master precise lifting, steering, and full 270° rotation with this interactive robotics for kids ages 8-12. This dynamic design turns physics and mechanical engineering principles into engaging play, sparking creativity and demonstrating how real robotic movement works
- The Perfect STEM Gift for Young Engineers：An ideal gift for birthdays, Christmas, or classroom rewards! This STEM kit appeals to boys, girls, teens, and adults—perfect for solo projects, family STEM nights, or school science programs. It delivers hours of rewarding challenge and a true sense of achievement
- Build & Learn with Challenging Wooden Construction：Assemble with natural wooden parts using clear, step-by-step instructions. This engineering kit for kids age 8-12 offers a satisfying build that sharpens problem-solving, patience, and fine motor skills. It’s a hands-on STEM kit that makes complex concepts tangible and fun
- Interactive STEM Projects for All Ages：From timed competitions to parent-child teamwork, this robotics for kids ages 12-16 turns learning into an adventure. Designed to cultivate future engineers, it’s perfect for home or school use. Inspire a lifelong passion for science and STEM kits for kids age 12-14 and beyond
For additional context on the Addams Family comparison and the reported approach, see Popular Science’s October 2, 2026 report. Its account says earlier walking-hand efforts changed hand structure by equalizing finger lengths, whereas the ETH Zurich team retained unequal fingers; that historical comparison is attributed to the news report.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Intro to Robotics & Circuits: The kit includes motors, PCB microcontroller boards, and wires, by assembling and operating this robotic arm, It offers a fantastic first-time opportunity for children to know how electronic circuits work and control mechanical movement. Combining 3D puzzle with electrical enginnering, it's Fun and entertaining robotic science experiment for kids ages 8-14 and up! Note: 6 AA batteries needed but not included.
- Spark Interest in Engineering: This mechanical arm perfectly combines education with fun. Kids gain hands-on experience in physics & engineering principles while enjoying the thrill of building and play, making learning exciting. It sparks interest in future engineering and science pursuits.
- Challenging & Cool Wood Building Set! With wooden pieces and precise assembly tutorial, this wood building kit offers a satisfyingly complex building experience that enhances problem-solving skills, patience.
- Perfect Gift Idea: Designed for people who love to build and create, this DIY electronics kit for kids makes a gift or basker stuffer for boys and girls, tweens, teens, adults on birthday, christmas, easter, valentine day, also works for students in educational institutions, school science classes like science summer camping toy, or as STEAM game for families. It provides hours of challenging fun and a great sense of accomplishment once completed.
- STEM Project & Fun Toy for All Ages: No solidering required, the robot arm toy comes with all accessories you need to assemble this. Developing a lifelong love for science, the mechanical engineering kit is good for kids, teens, adults, boys and girls 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 years old and up
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
