BrainCo Hands
Introduction / Overview
BrainCo hands refers to the company’s family of anthropomorphic, multi-joint robotic end-effectors led by the Revo2 series. Revo2 focuses on combining very low mass with strong, precise manipulation, and (in some models) embedded tactile sensing—a mix aimed at humanoid robots, mobile manipulators, research labs, and pilot automation cells. Public technical literature and launch materials identify headline figures of ~383 g weight, ~50 N precision grip, and up to 20 kg static load, in an approximately 160 × 76 mm package.
BrainCo develops these hands alongside its broader neurotechnology and brain–computer interface (BCI) work. The company’s background includes the BrainRobotics division and prosthetics programs, while the Revo2 line targets robotics markets directly.
Design and Features
Compact, human-scale geometry
The Revo2 mechanical envelope—about 160 mm tall and 76 mm wide—keeps distal inertia low for bipedal platforms and collaborative arms. This allows humanoids to preserve gait stability and energy efficiency while manipulating common tools, handles, and containers designed for human hands.
High strength-to-weight performance
Across official specs, press materials, and technical sheets, Revo2 is repeatedly described as ~383 g in weight with ≥50 N power grasp and up to 20 kg static load capacity, yielding a rare power density among off-the-shelf dexterous hands. This enables both delicate placement and practical handling of tools or parcels without resorting to bulky grippers.
Tactile sensing (Revo2 Touch)
The Revo2 Touch variant integrates 3D tactile sensors in the fingers. Vendor and press releases note perception of fingertip pressure, object hardness/texture, force direction, and near-contact proximity, supporting adaptive, contact-aware grasping and in-hand manipulation tasks such as cable insertion or cap screwing.
Industrial I/O and developer tooling
The series exposes RS-485, CAN-FD, and EtherCAT interfaces (bundle-dependent), with a wide DC input range suitable for mobile robots and benches. Documentation and reseller pages reference SDKs, firmware/utilities, and ROS-friendly workflows, giving labs and integrators a faster path to closed-loop control and tactile data logging (Touch).
Platform kits and compatibility
Channel listings show Revo2 kits for Unitree H2 (left/right), emphasizing mechanical/electrical fit and balance on full-size humanoids—an indicator of intended real-world integration rather than research-only use.
Technology and Specifications
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Form factor & mass: Approx. 160 mm (H) × 76 mm (W); ~383 g (without wrist)
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Kinematics: 11 DoF with 6 active joints (series specification).
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Performance: ≥50 N power grasp; up to 20 kg static load; fingertip pinch ≥15 N (sheet values).
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Materials & build: Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy with engineered plastics (per spec sheet).
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Sensing (Touch): 3D tactile for pressure, hardness/texture, force direction, proximity; real-time streams via SDK.
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Interfaces & power: RS-485 / CAN-FD / EtherCAT, wide DC input; integration with standard robotics controllers (bundle-specific).
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Software stack: SDKs, visualization tools (including tactile viewers for Touch), with ROS examples noted in channel pages.
Third-party catalogues and videos echo the weight, size, and capability claims (e.g., 383 g, 16 × 7.6 cm, 20 kg lift), though “manufacturer” attributions may vary across resellers; official BrainCo/press content remains the primary reference for the Revo2 line.
Applications and Use Cases
Humanoid robots and mobile manipulation
Low distal mass is critical for bipedal gait and arm dynamics. Revo2’s compact package helps humanoids maintain balance while performing human-scale tasks—opening doors, operating switches, handling utensils, or placing containers—where dexterity matters more than peak clamp force. Kits for Unitree H2 underscore practical pairing to existing platforms.
Research & education
Universities and corporate labs deploy Revo2 for grasp planning, reinforcement learning, tactile policy learning, and HRI. The Touch model’s tactile streams enable experimentation in slip detection, in-hand reorientation, and contact-rich behaviors that typically challenge non-tactile grippers.
Light industrial and pilot automation
With industrial buses and ≥50 N power grasp, Revo2 is positioned for bench-level assembly, kitting, and inspection where a single anthropomorphic hand can reduce tool changes across SKUs. The 20 kg static load figure provides headroom for handling fixtures and heavier components in prototype and pilot cells.
Prosthetics lineage and crossover know-how
BrainCo’s BCI and prosthetics work informs aspects of the mechatronics and control philosophy that appear in its robotic products, as documented in the company’s background and BrainRobotics division materials.
Advantages / Benefits
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Exceptional power density: At ~383 g with ≥50 N grip and 20 kg static load, Revo2 preserves payload and runtime on mobile platforms while enabling practical manipulation.
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Contact-aware dexterity (Touch): Embedded 3D tactile sensing increases reliability on fragile, irregular, or uncertain objects relative to non-tactile hands.
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Integration readiness: EtherCAT/CAN-FD/RS-485 and wide DC input reduce custom electronics; kits for popular humanoids accelerate bring-up.
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Developer ecosystem: SDKs and visualization tools shorten the cycle from bench tests to functional prototypes, aligning with common ROS workflows.
Comparisons (if relevant)
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Revo2 Touch vs. Revo2 Basic/Pro: All editions share the same compact chassis and core mechanics. Touch adds fingertip 3D tactile hardware and data tooling for contact-rich applications; Basic/Pro target general dexterity at lower cost. (Model lineup and differences reflected across spec/press sources.)
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Dexterous hand vs. parallel gripper: Parallel grippers can offer higher raw clamping force and lower price but lack hardness/texture/direction feedback. For variable shapes, uncertain poses, or fragile items, a tactile dexterous hand often delivers higher task success. (Category comparison informed by Touch capabilities.)
Pricing and Availability
Revo2 hands are sold via authorized resellers and integrators with quote-to-order workflows. Representative public listings indicate Revo2 Touch around US $7,500, while Basic/Pro variants are lower (pricing varies by region, taxes, and bundles). Lead times typically depend on left/right configuration, bus/cable kits, and software entitlements; several channels also list Unitree H2-specific SKUs.
FAQ Section
What are BrainCo hands?
They are anthropomorphic dexterous robot hands, led by the Revo2 series, designed for humanoids, mobile manipulators, and lab automation, with options for embedded tactile sensing (Touch).
How do Revo2 hands work?
Revo2 combines compact mechatronics (11 DoF/6 active joints) with industrial buses and, on the Touch model, 3D tactile sensors that stream force/texture/proximity data for adaptive, contact-aware control via SDK/ROS.
Why are BrainCo hands important?
They address a long-standing trade-off by delivering low mass and high strength with optional tactile perception—useful for humanoid balance, mobile manipulation efficiency, and higher success on contact-rich tasks.
What are the headline specifications?
Approx. 160 × 76 mm, ~383 g, ≥50 N power grasp, up to 20 kg static load, 11 DoF/6 active, with RS-485/CAN-FD/EtherCAT and 3D tactile on Touch.
How does BrainCo’s neurotech background relate?
BrainCo’s BCI and prosthetics heritage (BrainRobotics) informs its approach to bionic mechanics and control—context for the Revo2 line’s emphasis on lightweight, human-compatible design.
Summary
BrainCo hands, epitomized by the Revo2 series, offer a practical route to lightweight, contact-aware manipulation in human environments. The platform’s blend of ~383 g mass, ≥50 N grip, 20 kg static load headroom, industrial I/O, and optional 3D tactile sensing positions it for humanoids, mobile manipulators, and R&D teams moving from lab validation to pilot deployments. Publicly documented specifications, tactile capabilities, and platform kits indicate growing readiness for real-world robotic tasks where dexterity, integration, and efficiency matter
