ZWHAND A17

Seventeen active joints, each with its own micro linear drive in a direct-drive layout without tendons or linkages: that is the ZWHAND A17, which the maker's CES press release of January 2026 calls the Workhorse A17. ZWHAND is the dexterous-hand subsidiary of the listed micro-drive maker Zhaowei, and the whole series carries an electronic skin plus force and position sensors.

Weight, payload, grip force, interfaces and price for the A17 itself are not published; the price is on request. A close relationship with the DM17 series launched in July 2025, likewise seventeen fully direct-driven joints with one motor per joint according to its manual, is likely but not confirmed by the maker.

For the DM17 the distributor AIFit Lab lists 1,000 g including the wrist flange, 30 N total grip, 5 to 12 N at the fingertips, 12 V at 5 A, RS-485 and CAN FD on an M12 connector, operation from -10 to 40 degrees Celsius, an optional tactile version, aluminium, stainless steel and silicone construction, no waterproofing, a 0.45 s close and a price of 9,980 USD in October 2026.

Intended uses are humanoids and industry. Within the family, ZWHAND B20 has twenty degrees of freedom and ZWHAND B06 six; RY-H1 is a Shenzhen rival with sixteen active joints.