AMADEUS: Advanced MAnipulator for DEep Underwater Sampling

AMADEUS is a dextrous subsea robot hand incorporating force and slip contact sensing, using fluid filled tentacles for fingers. Hydraulic pressure variations in each of three flexible tubes (bellows) in each finger create a bending moment, and consequent motion or increase in contact force during grasping. Such fingers have inherent passive compliance, no moving parts, and are naturally depth pressure-compensated, making them ideal for reliable use in the deep ocean. In addition to the mechanical design, development of the hand has also considered closed loop finger position and force control, co-ordinated finger motion for grasping, force and slip sensor development/signal processing, and reactive world modelling/planning for supervisory 'blind grasping'. Initially, the application focus is for marine science tasks, but broader roles in offshore oil and gas, salvage, and military use are foreseen. Phase I of the project is complete, with the construction of a first prototype. Phase II is now underway, to deploy the hand from an underwater robot arm, and carry out wet trials with users. This paper summarizes the developments in phase I. Further details for each area of investigation are referenced.