Business
Robotic Hand Development Proves Challenging for Tech Companies
Creating a robotic hand that is both long-lasting and budget-friendly poses a significant hurdle in the field of robotics.
Rich Walker, a director at Shadow Robot, recalls the company's first robotic hand, built in the late 1990s using wood, springs, and rubber bands, with a sense of nostalgia.
Walker notes that the initial robotic hand was constructed using readily available materials, stating, "Much of it was created with items we already had on hand."
During a visit to Shadow Robot's north London headquarters, I had the opportunity to observe the company's latest advancements in robotic hands.
The robotic hands feature cylindrical "forearms" that contain small electric motors, or actuators, which precisely control the movement of the fingers by pulling on metal tendons.
To operate the robotic hands, sensors are attached to my fingers, and I receive brief instructions on how to use them.
As a novice, I anticipated that the robotic arms and hands would move clumsily, potentially knocking over objects in the room.
However, the movements proved to be smooth and precise, allowing me to manipulate blocks and cups with ease from the start.
Approximately 200 of these robotic hands are currently in use, primarily by researchers at universities and technology firms.
According to Walker, the robotic hands serve as a development kit for dexterity, enabling users to explore the possibilities of dexterous movement and informing the design of more complex systems or projects.
Developing robotic hands that can navigate the human world, where most tools and devices are designed for human hands, is essential for the advancement of robotics.
Bren Pierce, founder of the robotics start-up Kinisi, based in Bristol, believes that creating a robotic hand is the most challenging and complex aspect of building a humanoid robot.
Kinisi's KR1 robots, currently undergoing trials in commercial settings, can be equipped with various grippers tailored to specific tasks, such as strong "gorilla" pincers for heavier objects or a suction device for more delicate items.
Pierce's ultimate goal is to develop a single, versatile robotic hand capable of performing a wide range of tasks.
The concept of a single robotic hand that can accomplish everything has been a long-standing aspiration in the industry, with many believing that a humanoid hand could be the key to achieving this goal.
Kinisi has developed a three-fingered robotic hand that Pierce describes as "pretty good," but acknowledges that making it robust, scalable, and affordable remains a challenge.
The current prototype of Kinisi's robotic hand comes with a price tag of around £4,000 ($5,400), significantly higher than the £400 simple pincer the company currently uses.
The cost of developing a robust, dexterous, and affordable robotic hand is a major obstacle, as highlighted by Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, during the All-In Summit in Los Angeles last September.
Musk identified creating a robotic hand as one of the three most significant challenges facing the development of humanoid robotics, alongside creating artificial intelligence that can comprehend the world and mass-producing robots.
The upcoming launch of Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, is highly anticipated, particularly with regards to its robotic hand, which Musk claims will possess "the manual dexterity of a human."
The latest version of Optimus is expected to garner significant attention when it is released this year.
Musk's promise of a robotic hand with human-like dexterity has been met with skepticism by some experts, including Nathan Lepora, Professor of Robotics and AI at Bristol University.
Lepora, who has spent his career working on robotic hands, believes that achieving human-level dexterity is still a distant goal.
According to Lepora, human-level dexterity may not be achievable in the short term, but it could become a reality within the next 10 years, which is still a relatively short period.
Lepora is currently working on a robotics project funded by the UK government's Aria research and development scheme, focusing on the development of robotic hands with tendon-driven mechanisms.
Similar to Shadow Robot's approach, Lepora's work involves using "tendons" to move the fingers of the robotic hand.
Lepora predicts that tendon-driven hands with more sophisticated mechanisms will eventually lead to the development of more affordable and capable robotic hands.
However, he has been impressed by the progress made by Chinese firms, which are using motors in the fingers and hands to drive movement, rather than tendons.
Chinese companies, such as those that manufacture motors, are collaborating with robotic hand manufacturers to create bespoke motors that can fit within joints and fingers, potentially leading to the development of effective robotic hands.
Wuji Technology, a Shanghai-based firm, is one such company that has made significant advancements in robotic hand development.
Wuji's latest robotic hand features fingers with four independently controlled joints, allowing for intricate movements.
According to Wuji co-founder Yunzhe Pan, the robotic hand is not only durable but will also be made more durable in future generations.
Currently, each Wuji robotic hand is priced at $12,000 (£8,800), but Pan plans to make it more affordable in the future.
The Wuji robotic hand is equipped with piezoelectric sensors that convert pressure into an electrical charge, providing it with a sense of touch.
Developing a durable sense of touch for robotic hands is a crucial breakthrough for humanoid robots.
However, Bren Pierce notes that creating a sense of touch that can withstand the demands of industrial use is still a significant challenge.
Pierce emphasizes that while research labs and start-ups have made progress in developing sensors, these often have limited lifespans, typically lasting around six months, which is insufficient for industrial applications.
Despite the challenges, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of robotic hand development.
Historically, tactile sensing has seemed like a technology that is always 10 years away, but Lepora believes that the significant investments being made in humanoid robots are driving progress.
Lepora notes that the field is evolving, with advancements being made in robotic hand development.
Business
Artist Alleges AirAsia Used His Work Without Permission
A street artist from Penang has reported that one of his artworks has been replicated and featured on the design of an airplane.
A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.
According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.
Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.
The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.
In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.
With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.
One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.
The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.
Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.
Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.
He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.
Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.
This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.
Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.
According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.
The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.
As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.
Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.
The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.
Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.
Business
US Businesses and Consumers Bear Brunt of Trump Tariff Costs, According to NY Fed
In 2022, the United States saw a significant increase in collective import tariff rates, with rates rising by more than 300 percent for a range of imported goods.
The modification of tariff agreements by President Donald Trump with several countries had a consistent outcome: increased costs for US-based companies and consumers.
According to a study released on Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the average tariff rate on imported goods increased significantly, rising from 2.6% at the beginning of the year to 13% in 2025.
The New York Fed's research revealed that US companies absorbed approximately 90% of the costs associated with the higher tariffs imposed by Trump on goods from countries such as Mexico, China, Canada, and the European Union.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York stated that "the majority of the economic burden of the high tariffs imposed in 2025 continues to be borne by US firms and consumers."
When tariff rates changed and increased in the previous year, exporting countries did not adjust their prices to mitigate potential declines in US demand.
Instead of lowering prices, exporters maintained their existing prices and transferred the tariff costs to US importers, who subsequently increased the prices of these goods for consumers.
The response of exporters in 2025 was similar to their reaction in 2018, when Trump introduced certain tariffs during his first term, resulting in higher consumer prices with minimal other economic effects, as noted by the New York Fed at the time.
The New York Fed's findings on Thursday are consistent with the results of other recent analyses.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organization, reported last month that its research indicated "nearly complete pass-through of tariffs to US import prices."
By analyzing 25 million transactions, Kiel researchers discovered that the prices of goods from countries like Brazil and India did not decrease.
The Kiel report noted that "trade volumes declined" instead, indicating that exporters preferred to reduce the quantity of goods shipped to the US rather than lower their prices.
The National Bureau of Economic Research also found that the pass-through of tariffs to US import prices was "nearly 100%", meaning that the US bears the cost of the price increase, not the exporting countries.
Similarly, the Tax Foundation, a Washington DC-based think tank, found that the increased tariffs on goods in 2025 resulted in higher costs for American households.
The Tax Foundation considered tariffs as a new tax on consumers and estimated that the 2025 increases resulted in an average cost of $1,000 (£734.30) per household, with a projected cost of $1,300 in 2026.
The Tax Foundation reported that the "effective" tariff rate, which accounts for decreased consumer purchases due to higher prices, is now 9.9%, representing the highest average rate since 1946.
The Tax Foundation concluded that the economic benefits of tax cuts included in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will be entirely offset by the impacts of the tariffs on households.
Business
BBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool
The demand for vibe-coding tools, which enable individuals without coding experience to develop applications using artificial intelligence, is experiencing rapid growth.
A significant and unresolved cyber-security vulnerability has been identified in a popular AI coding platform, according to information provided to the BBC.
The platform, known as Orchids, utilizes a "vibe-coding" approach, enabling individuals without technical expertise to create apps and games by inputting text prompts into a chatbot.
In recent months, such platforms have gained widespread popularity, often being touted as an early example of how AI can rapidly and affordably perform various professional tasks.
However, experts warn that the ease with which Orchids can be compromised highlights the risks associated with granting AI bots extensive access to computers in exchange for autonomous task execution.
Despite repeated requests for comment, the company has not responded to the BBC's inquiries.
Orchids claims to have a user base of one million and boasts partnerships with top companies, including Google, Uber, and Amazon.
According to ratings from App Bench and other analysts, Orchids is considered the top program for certain aspects of vibe coding.
Cyber-security researcher Etizaz Mohsin demonstrated the platform's security flaws to the BBC.
To test the platform's security, a spare laptop was used to download the Orchids desktop app and initiate a vibe-coding project.
A request was made to the Orchids AI assistant to generate code for a computer game based on the BBC News website.
The AI assistant automatically compiled code on the screen, which, without prior experience, was unintelligible.
By exploiting a specific cyber-security weakness, Mohsin was able to access the project and view and edit the code.
Mohsin then added a line of code to the project, which went unnoticed.
This action apparently allowed him to gain access to the computer, as evidenced by the subsequent appearance of a "Joe is hacked" notepad file on the desktop and a changed wallpaper featuring an AI hacker image.
The potential implications of this hack on the platform's numerous projects are significant.
A malicious hacker could have easily installed a virus on the machine without any action required from the victim.
Sensitive personal or financial data could have been compromised.
An attacker could have accessed internet history or even used the computer's cameras and microphones for surveillance.
Most cyber-attacks involve tricking victims into downloading malicious software or divulging login credentials.
This particular attack was carried out without any involvement from the victim, known as a zero-click attack.
Mohsin stated that the vibe-coding revolution has introduced a new class of security vulnerabilities that did not previously exist, highlighting the risks associated with relying on AI to handle tasks.
The concept of AI handling tasks autonomously comes with significant risks, according to Mohsin.
Mohsin, a 32-year-old from Pakistan currently residing in the UK, has a history of discovering dangerous software flaws, including work on the Pegasus spyware.
Mohsin discovered the flaw in December 2025 while experimenting with vibe-coding and has since attempted to contact Orchids through various channels, sending around a dozen messages.
The Orchids team responded to Mohsin this week, stating that they may have missed his warnings due to being overwhelmed with incoming messages.
According to the company's LinkedIn page, Orchids is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2025 with fewer than 10 employees.
Mohsin has only identified flaws in Orchids and not in other vibe-coding platforms, such as Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and Lovable.
Nonetheless, experts caution that this discovery should serve as a warning.
Professor Kevin Curran of Ulster University's cybersecurity department notes that the main security implications of vibe-coding are the potential for code to fail under attack due to a lack of discipline, documentation, and review.
Agentic AI tools, which perform complex tasks with minimal human input, are increasingly gaining attention.
A recent example is the Clawbot agent, also known as Moltbot or Open Claw, which can execute tasks on a user's device with little human intervention.
The free AI agent has been downloaded by hundreds of thousands of people, granting it deep access to computers and potentially introducing numerous security risks.
Karolis Arbaciauskas, head of product at NordPass, advises caution when using such tools.
Arbaciauskas warns that while it may be intriguing to see what an AI agent can do without security measures, this level of access is also highly insecure.
He recommends running these tools on separate, dedicated machines and using disposable accounts for experimentation.
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