Author John Markoff begins his article by giving a broad overview of what scientists are attempting to accomplish through the use of these robots. Markoff remarks on the progress of the program, including a couple of quotations from people who were directly involved with the construction of the robot. He also includes a short video which demonstrates how the robotic hands can be used. The robot cost $10,000 to make, but is currently severely limited to the amount of tasks that it can perform. Those involved with this product have very high hopes for its future, believing that its success may even lead to inventions in the future such as self-driving cars. Different prototypes of the hands are still in process; an older prototype had the ability to use a pair of chopsticks to eat sushi, but the newer version of the hands was unable to complete the intended task of changing a tire. The dexterity of the hands is still being tweaked in order to make them more human like as well as to expand their abilities. Besides being able to change a tire, the creators of the robotic arm hope that they can include bomb detecting in its list of abilities in the near future. This program is currently being financed for eighteen months. The agency is also hoping to use their technology to create prosthetic arms for soldiers.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/science/making-robots-mimic-the-human-hand.html?hp&_r=0
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