Welcome, Dex5-S!
Dex5-S is a human sized robotic hand designed by Unitree Robotics for humanoid platforms, research systems, and teleoperation work. It receives a Humanoid Guide Hand Score of 6 out of 10, placing it in the capable and mature range. Its strongest assessed area is degrees of freedom, rated 5 out of 5, which positions dexterity as a central attribute for intricate object handling and hand posture control. Strength receives a tier rating of 1 out of 5, emphasizing that its evaluation favors articulated manipulation over force oriented work. The hand uses an aluminum alloy structure and has five fingers in a compact form suited to wrist mounting. Each joint is driven by an individual backdrivable electric motor and monitored through dual encoders that provide position, speed, torque, and temperature feedback. This arrangement supports compliant interaction when objects or external forces push against the fingers. Interfaces include Ethernet, USB, and RS 485, supporting integration with a range of robot control architectures. A palm camera connection is also available for compact sensing integration.
The high degrees of freedom rating gives Dex5-S a clear role in manipulation research where finger articulation, contact control, and repeatable grasp development are priorities. Its lower strength tier distinguishes it from hands selected chiefly for heavy payload handling. Developers can use its joint level feedback to study controller tuning, grasp planning, teleoperation mappings, and data collection workflows. The combination of a compact hand format, individual motor actuation, and standard communications is relevant to humanoid robot integration, laboratory prototypes, and experimental end effectors. The design is especially aligned with projects that value controlled interaction with tools, containers, and irregular objects, while keeping hardware packaging appropriate for an arm and wrist assembly.
Dex5-S is listed as in production and carries a listed price of 6 500 USD, with inquiries available for purchasing details. Unitree Robotics, a Chinese manufacturer also associated with Go2 and G1 robots, positions the hand within a broader humanoid hardware ecosystem. The product represents a move toward compact articulated hands intended for developers who need a dedicated manipulation component rather than a complete robot. Its score profile highlights an industry tradeoff between dexterity and strength, with top tier degrees of freedom assessment and a lower force related tier. For research groups and robot builders, such components can help standardize experiments around grasping interfaces, controller software, and arm integration. The optional Pro version broadens the family for projects with more demanding requirements.
