German engineers from the Saarland University in Germany are currently working on new artificial hand muscle technology capable of performing extremely precise hand movements.

According to a report, the new technology could enable engineers to develop flexible and lightweight robotic hands for industrial applications and prosthetic devices.

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The artificial hand is equipped with muscles made from shape-memory wire (SMA). The muscle fibers consist of ultrafine nickel-titanium alloy wires that can tense and flex.

Engineers say this material has sensory properties that allow the hand to execute precise movements.

"In contrast, tools fabricated with artificial muscles from SMA wire can do without additional equipment, making them light, flexible and highly adaptable." said Stefan Seelecke, a professor at the university and head of the research group.

"They operate silently and are relatively cheap to produce. And these wires have the highest energy density of all known drive mechanisms, which enables them to perform powerful movements in restricted spaces,"

"This property of nickel-titanium alloy is a result of phase changes that occur within the material." Seelecke continued.

"If the wire becomes warm, which happens, for instance, when it conducts electricity, the material transforms its lattice structure causing it to contract like a muscle,"

Researchers plan to showcase a prototype of the artificial hand at the Hannover Messe 2015, the world's largest industrial technology fair, in Hanover, Germany from April 13 to April 17.

Advanced technology firm Rethink Robotics recently unveiled its latest one-handed robot called Sawyer. Sawyer, designed to work side by side with electronics manufacturers, is capable of learning precise automated tasks such as circuit board testing.

TagsArtificial Hand, Saarland University, engineers, Germany, Shape-memory Alloy, Hannover Messe 2015