HAND Training Encourages Students, Teachers To Explore Dexterous Robotics
Outcome/Accomplishment
The NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (NSF HAND), headquartered at Northwestern University, has created Accessible Pathways training to educate K-12 and undergraduate students and teachers about the exciting field of dexterous robotics.
Impact/Benefits
The teachers who participated in the Accessible Pathways training program carried new knowledge back to their schools to teach it to their students. The students were encouraged to share their experiences in dexterous robotics with classmates and instructors and broaden everyone’s perspectives on career possibilities in the field of dexterous robotics.
Explanation/Background
NSF HAND created its Accessible Pathways training as part of the ERC’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) activities.
In June 2025, five HAND faculty presented and seven PhD students served as mentors. Seven students participated, as well as two high school teachers and one community college instructor.
All participants received extensive training in robotics and actively contributed to projects aligned with HAND’s core research areas, including advanced robotic hands, intelligent dexterity, and human–robot interfaces. The participants learned about and participated in real-world testbeds at both the component level (e.g., tendons, actuation, and transmission mechanisms for robotic hands) and the system level (e.g., simulations for bimanual dexterous manipulation).
Location
Evanston, Illinoiswebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (NSF HAND), headquartered at Northwestern University, has created Accessible Pathways training to educate K-12 and undergraduate students and teachers about the exciting field of dexterous robotics.
Location
Evanston, Illinoiswebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
The teachers who participated in the Accessible Pathways training program carried new knowledge back to their schools to teach it to their students. The students were encouraged to share their experiences in dexterous robotics with classmates and instructors and broaden everyone’s perspectives on career possibilities in the field of dexterous robotics.
Explanation/Background
NSF HAND created its Accessible Pathways training as part of the ERC’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) activities.
In June 2025, five HAND faculty presented and seven PhD students served as mentors. Seven students participated, as well as two high school teachers and one community college instructor.
All participants received extensive training in robotics and actively contributed to projects aligned with HAND’s core research areas, including advanced robotic hands, intelligent dexterity, and human–robot interfaces. The participants learned about and participated in real-world testbeds at both the component level (e.g., tendons, actuation, and transmission mechanisms for robotic hands) and the system level (e.g., simulations for bimanual dexterous manipulation).