A new video from South Korea’s Hanyang University has taken a lighthearted spin on robotics research. It shows a robotic hand performing the moonwalk to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal. The 40-second demonstration, published by the PhD candidate Ji-Hun Bae at the RoCogMan Lab (Robotic Cognition and Manipulation Lab), features the Tesollo DG-5F robotic hand gliding its fingers in a dance-like motion, mimicking the legendary move.
The creators describe the video as “an academic parody inspired by KAIST’s humanoid robot moonwalk,” which we covered a few days ago. The video description noted that while KAIST’s system performed the move using robotic legs, this demonstration humorously replicates it using robotic fingers. According to the video description, the intention is to show that “not only humanoid robots but also robotic fingers can dance.”
RoCogMan lab at Hanyang University’s Department of Robotics is known for its work in robotic cognition, manipulation, and medical robotics. The video serves as a humorous response and a technical showcase following the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)’s humanoid robot demonstration.
A “Dancing” demonstration of dexterity
In the video, the Tesollo DG-5F robotic hand, mounted on a robotic arm, glides its two fingers smoothly across a tabletop in rhythm with Smooth Criminal. The synchronized motion highlights the hand’s remarkable dexterity and range of control, making it appear like the fingers are dancing in time with the music.
Beyond the humor, the display effectively demonstrates the fine motor control and joint coordination of the DG-5F. Attributes that make it suitable for high-precision manipulation tasks in research, industrial, and medical robotics.
Inside the Tesollo DG-5F: Designed for human-like precision
Developed by TESOLLO Inc., the DG-5F is a fully actuated, five-finger anthropomorphic robotic hand that offers 20 degrees of freedom (DoF). Each joint is independently controlled, allowing for complex, coordinated hand movements that closely resemble those of a human hand.
Modeled after the proportions of an adult male hand, the DG-5F supports various grip patterns such as pinch, power, and precision grips, enabling it to handle a wide range of tasks, from delicate manipulation to firm grasping. Optional high-precision force sensors at the fingertips provide real-time tactile feedback, supporting functions like slip detection and adaptive force control, which are critical for interacting with dynamic environments.
Constructed from lightweight, high-strength materials, the DG-5F is built for robust industrial and research applications performance. Its ROS2 compatibility allows seamless integration with existing robotic systems and simulators, making it a versatile platform for experimentation in AI-based manipulation, human-robot interaction, and dexterous control research.
The RoCogMan lab: From precision to playfulness
While the moonwalking hand might appear to be a playful experiment, it reflects the RoCogMan Lab’s broader mission: to develop robots capable of performing sophisticated, real-world tasks. The lab’s research spans object perception, vision-based control, and medical robotics, including systems for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and the development of prosthetic hands for amputees.
In a field often defined by functionality and formality, this brief Hanyang University’s RoCogMan Lab performance stands out with a 40-second reminder that even robotic fingers can moonwalk.