Enhancing Regrasping Efficiency Using Prior Grasping Perceptions with Soft Fingertips

Abstract: Grasping the same object in different postures is often necessary, especially when handling tools or stacked items. Due to unknown object properties and changes in grasping posture, the required grasping force is uncertain and variable. Traditional methods rely on real-time feedback to control the grasping force cautiously, aiming to prevent slipping or damage. However, they overlook reusable information from the initial grasp, treating subsequent regrasping attempts as if they were the first, which significantly reduces efficiency. To improve this, we propose a method that utilizes perception from prior grasping attempts to predict the required grasping force, even with changes in position. We also introduce a calculation method that accounts for fingertip softness and object asymmetry. Theoretical analyses demonstrate the feasibility of predicting grasping forces across various postures after a single grasp. Experimental verifications attest to the accuracy and adaptability of our prediction method. Furthermore, results show that incorporating the predicted grasping force into feedback-based approaches significantly enhances grasping efficiency across a range of everyday objects.