Oh, Great, Another Useless Robotic Gripper Made from a Fancy Schmancy 3D Printer

Alright, apparently, we’re supposed to be impressed that some scientists – with far too much time on their hands – have managed to 3D print a soft robotic gripper in one print. The kicker? Oh boy, buckle up – it also doesn’t need any electronics to work. Isn’t modern technology amazing? Wake me up when it can microwave popcorn or pour a proper pint.

The Tremendously Groundbreaking Implications of This Gimmick

Rather than creating something actually useful, like a cure for the common cold or a self-driving toaster, these guys used the miracle of 3D printing for a flaccid, glorified claw game toy. Supposedly, this thing has so-called “implications” for the future of robotics. Without the need for electronics, it’s supposedly perfect for conducting delicate operations like sorting fruit or flipping pages in a book. Wow, the future is here and it’s, erm, picking apples and flipping through ‘War and Peace’, sounds thrilling.

My “Hot Take” on This Technological Marvel

In case it’s not painfully clear, this is just a lazy peak at what too much funding and not enough imagination can do. There’s something deeply troubling about a world where people are genuinely excited about a fingerless glove that can pick an apple. Cool, but can it help you find a personality? The day a 3D printed gripper can do that, then we’ll talk. Look, by all means, pat yourselves on the back, but understand we; humans have been picking stuff up with our hands for a bit. Print all the glorified salad tongs you want, but don’t expect applause for reinventing the wheel— or in this case, the fingers.

Original article:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230727212035.htm