Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 July 2011
In this paper we propose an intuitive and practical grasp quality measure for grasping 3D objects with a multi-fingered robot hand. The proposed measure takes into account the object geometries through the concept of object wrench space. Physically, the positive measure value has a meaning of the minimum single disturbance that grasp cannot resist, while the negative measure value implies the minimum necessary helping force that restores a non-force-closure grasp into a force-closure one. We show that the measure value is invariant between similar grasps and also between different torque origins. We verify the validity of the proposed measure via simulations by using computer models of a three-fingered robot hand and polygonal objects.