Robot Dexterity in the Real World

Robot Dexterity in the Real World

Dexterous manipulation is one of robotics' grand challenges. 2026 has brought a wave of dexterous hands — alongside growing recognition that the field's focus is shifting from hardware, now available in abundance, to the problem of using that hardware to accomplish tasks reliably in industrial, clinical, laboratory, and residential environments. Dexterous manipulation has moved into the spotlight, and in doing so has highlighted the large gap between robot and human capability. Why does this gap persist, and how can we close it?

In this talk, I will draw on two decades of my work — from human studies to contact modeling, manipulation analysis, and hand design — and show how it is closing this gap. This work is already deployed in the field — in manufacturing, healthcare, and residential settings — moving from research into real-world use.