A researcher from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, East China's Anhui province, controls a self-developed robotic hand as it grasps a piece of fluffy cake on Dec 11, 2018. [Photo by Han Suyuan/chinanews.com]

A piece of paper, glazed bowls and soft tofu - seemingly impossible things to pick up - have become a piece of cake for a newly-developed robotic hand, chinanews.com reported on Dec 11, 2018. 

The robotic hand was developed by a research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, East China's Anhui province. 

It can complete complicated movements, such as testing the shape, size and material of different objects and picking them up steadily, even though they might be stiff, soft, fragile, or glazed. It can also move and accurately place them in designated areas. 

Compared to the current robotic hand market, with the made-in-China products being largely unable to conduct such sophisticated movements and imported products prohibitively expensive, this new model stands out for its advanced grasping abilities, flexibility and low cost. 

Chen Xiaoping, director of the Robotics Laboratory at USTC, said the new invention will cost no more than 1,000 yuan ($145.5) when put into mass production, giving them a sharp edge over international competitors and setting a positive tone for the application of robotics in the service industry and intelligent manufacturing. 

He said the hands will first be installed on "Kejia", a home service robot developed by USTC, and are expected to be used in fields such as elderly care services and logistics within the next three years.

Chen Xiaoping, director of the Robotics Laboratory at USTC, introduces the robotic hand on Dec 11, 2018. [Photo by Han Suyuan/chinanews.com]