This paper describes the force control of a robot gripper that is modeled o
n the basis of human grasping schemes. In the cases in which fluctuation in
load is induced by movement of the object, human beings are able to precis
ely change the grasping forces according to changes in fingertip forces per
pendicular to the grasping direction, The characteristics of strengthening
and weakening of forces vary with respect to the safety margin. Here, a mod
el for determining the grasping force of a robot gripper, which depends on
the object's acceleration, is described. In this model, unexpected subtle l
oad forces can be compensated by minimal required forces to prevent slip. (
C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.