PSYONIC Ability Hand

Q: Can PSYONIC Ability Hand be programmed?

Full SDK. Open API with a published ICD. Python package ability-hand, C++, ROS 2 (ability-hand-ros2), legacy MATLAB, and a URCap for UR e-Series arms.

Quote only

AvailablePython from a laptopTouch-sensing fingertipsFDA-registered prostheticMuJoCo + Isaac modelsPython API

Weeks+Shipping: 30–60 days (Knoxlabs).

Remote control: A laptop with a USB serial adapter runs the ability-hand Python package over UART or RS-485. It sets position, velocity or current and streams encoder and touch data.

LEARN MORE (Ability Hand for Robots) ↗

Overview

A tough, fast and touch-sensing five-finger hand with the best official software and sim support in its class, sold only by quote.

PSYONIC, a San Diego company founded at the University of Illinois, launched the Ability Hand as a bionic prosthetic in 2021. An IEEE talk listing calls it FDA-registered and Medicare-covered. PSYONIC now also sells it as a robot hand, and lists NASA, Meta, Google, Amazon, Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz among users. Its spec sheet lists UR e-Series and Manus glove integrations.

Each finger has one motor and the thumb has two. The fingers close in 0.2 s, with a top speed of 462°/s. Thirty force-sensing resistors (pads whose resistance drops under pressure) line the digits. The four fingers are not backdrivable, meaning outside forces cannot push the motors back. It takes hard impacts and is IP64 rated. Its 6 DOF give less finger independence than the Shadow Hand or Allegro Hand.

Type: Robot hand or gripper · Research & humanoid hands
Maker: PSYONIC
Released: 2021
Price: Quote only
Status: Available
Best for: Professionals & labs
Programming: Full SDK

Price and shipping

No public price for the robotics version, checked October 2026. PSYONIC sells it after a sales call, and Knoxlabs lists the Robotics Edition as contact for pricing. The prosthetic version reportedly sold for $15,500 (SlashGear, February 2025).

Shipping: 30–60 days (Knoxlabs). PSYONIC sells the robotics hand after a booked sales call. Knoxlabs lists the Robotics Edition as shipping within 30–60 days. Mounting bolts are not included. Knoxlabs ↗

Specifications

Category	Robot hands & grippers · Research & humanoid hands
Released	2021
Country	USA
Availability	Available
Programmability	Full SDK
Built-in autonomy	None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions
LLM support	Possible via SDK · No built-in LLM. The open Python API lets an LLM agent on a host computer set grips and read touch data.
MuJoCo simulation	Official model · Maker's API repo ships MJCF models (left/right, large/small) with simulated touch sensors, plus scenes on G1, H1, UR5e, xArm7 and Z1. ability-hand-api ah_simulators ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	Official model · In Isaac Sim's robot asset library (Psyonic ability_hand, four versions). The spec sheet also lists Isaac Lab support. Isaac Sim manipulator assets ↗
Gazebo simulation	Maker URDF only · Maker publishes URDFs with visuals, inertias and collisions, no Gazebo package. ability-hand-api URDF ↗
Best for	Professionals & labs
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	Brushless / direct-drive motors
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Laptop / PC as the brain
Remote control	Python from a laptop
Fingers	5 (4 fingers + thumb)
DOF	6 actuated (1 per finger, 2 for the thumb)
Actuation	Six brushless DC motors inside the hand, one per finger and two for the thumb. The four fingers are not back-drivable, and the thumb rotator can be moved by hand.
Grip force / payload	78 N power grasp, 17 N key grasp, 8 N pinch; 45.4 kg axial load, 27.2 kg thumb load
Weight	470 g (large), 440 g (small)
Sensors	30 force-sensing resistors (6 per digit) measuring normal force, plus a motor encoder per joint with position, velocity and current feedback
Interface	UART or 5 V RS-485 (also I2C and BLE), up to 1 kHz control; USB serial adapter to a host, FDCAN bridge firmware available; 6–12 V supply
SDK	Open API with a published ICD. Python package `ability-hand`, C++, ROS 2 (`ability-hand-ros2`), legacy MATLAB, and a URCap for UR e-Series arms.

Common questions

How much does PSYONIC Ability Hand cost?

Quote only. No public price for the robotics version, checked October 2026. PSYONIC sells it after a sales call, and Knoxlabs lists the Robotics Edition as contact for pricing. The prosthetic version reportedly sold for $15,500 (SlashGear, February 2025).

Can PSYONIC Ability Hand be bought today?

Yes, it is on sale. Typical shipping time is 30–60 days (Knoxlabs). PSYONIC sells the robotics hand after a booked sales call. Knoxlabs lists the Robotics Edition as shipping within 30–60 days. Mounting bolts are not included.

Who makes PSYONIC Ability Hand?

PSYONIC Ability Hand is made by PSYONIC. It came out in 2021.

Can PSYONIC Ability Hand be programmed?

Full SDK. Open API with a published ICD. Python package ability-hand, C++, ROS 2 (ability-hand-ros2), legacy MATLAB, and a URCap for UR e-Series arms.