In a classic “put up or shut up” moment for the robotics world, Sharpa Robotics has silenced skeptics by demonstrating its much-debated robotic hand at IROS 2025 in Hangzhou, China. After the company’s initial, almost-too-slick promotional video left many wondering if they were witnessing a breakthrough or just clever CGI, new footage from the conference floor shows the hand is not only real but impressively dexterous, seen deftly manipulating playing cards.
The hand, officially named the SharpaWave, is a sophisticated piece of engineering. It boasts a human-like form factor with 22 degrees of freedom and fingertips packed with over 1,000 tactile sensing pixels, aiming for human-level tactile sensitivity. While the original viral video was a masterclass in getting attention, this public, hands-on (pun intended) demonstration at a major robotics conference proves it wasn’t just marketing vapor. The move from a polished render to a functional prototype handling delicate objects is a significant step for the Singapore-based startup.
Why is this important?
This saga highlights a critical tension in the robotics industry: the fine line between ambitious marketing and tangible engineering. In a field prone to hype, Sharpa’s ability to back up its viral claims with a working prototype at a peer-reviewed venue like IROS is a refreshing dose of reality. More importantly, the SharpaWave’s advanced tactile sensing and dexterity address a key bottleneck in automation—the ability for robots to perform complex, delicate tasks that require a sense of touch. If it proves as robust as it is deft, this hand could be a crucial component for the next generation of robots in manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
