Unitree Dex5-S 22-DOF Biomimetic Dexterous Hand (Coming Soon)

A successful grasp is not simply a closed hand: it is a sequence of movements that brings an object under control. The Unitree Dex5-S 22-DOF Biomimetic Dexterous Hand (Coming Soon) brings that challenge into a human-scale robotic format, with 22 DoF per hand and a new roll axis on the pinky. For a research team, the central question is how to turn those available movements into repeatable handling tasks. Its combination of finger articulation, backdrivable actuation and joint impact protection provides a concrete starting point for investigating that question.

The product is available through this page, by quotation.

Background

UNITREE ROBOTICS and the Dex5-S range

UNITREE ROBOTICS is the brand behind the Dex5-S and Dex5-S Pro. These are distinct versions within the same named range, and their sensing specifications deserve careful separation. The Dex5-S Pro has tactile sensing listed; the Dex5-S has no tactile-sensing entry. Selecting between them therefore starts with the experimental brief rather than treating the Pro designation as a general promise of better performance.

Dexterous robotic hands occupy the interface between robot motion and the objects a robot handles. In a laboratory, that interface is often studied separately from the rest of the platform: researchers define a grasp, observe its outcome and revise the control approach. The broader Hands category provides context for this component class, without establishing compatibility between any particular hand and robot.

Human-scale articulation and protected actuation

The Dex5-S uses a 1:1 Human Hand Scale layout. Its thumb and pinky each have 5 DoF, while the index, middle and ring fingers each have 4 DoF. That distribution matters when a team maps a task into finger motions: the hand is not described by its total joint count alone. The additional pinky roll axis is part of the published actuation design.

All 22 motors are direct-drive and backdrivable with dual encoders. The construction also uses precision micro gearboxes and an Aluminum alloy housing. An impact protection structure shields the gears from damage when a joint motor receives an extreme external impact, with protection across all 22 DoF. This is a specific mechanical feature, not a substitute for controlled experimental procedures or an application-level safety assessment.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are as published by the manufacturer and are confirmed against the datasheet at quotation.

The manufacturer has not published fingertip force, joint torque, IP rating, operating temperature, box contents, software/SDK support or compatible robots; these details are confirmed at quotation.

What makes the Unitree Dex5-S different from the Dex5-S Pro?

The explicit distinction in the supplied specifications is tactile sensing: it is listed for the Dex5-S Pro, with no entry for the Dex5-S. For a project that requires touch information as an input to its control method, that difference is central to version selection. It does not establish a particular sensor layout, sensing resolution or software interface, and those details are not part of the available specification.

The Dex5-S itself offers a defined mechanical platform: human-hand scale, articulated fingers, dual encoders and backdrivable motors. Backdrivability concerns the mechanical response of the actuation system; tactile sensing concerns information about contact. They are different properties and should not be treated as interchangeable when drafting a research requirement.

Connection planning is another practical consideration. The hand supports Gigabit Ethernet, USB or high-speed RS-485, alongside a 15–65 V input range. With the Gigabit Ethernet configuration, the palm camera plugs straight into the hand without external cabling. That statement describes the camera connection arrangement; it does not establish that a camera is included in the box.

For procurement, separate the choice of hand version from the choice of connection configuration. A project brief should identify the required communications route, whether the palm-camera arrangement is relevant, and whether tactile sensing is essential. This keeps the request focused on the actual integration requirements rather than on a model name alone.

Who is Unitree Dex5-S for?

The Dex5-S is relevant to robotics laboratories, university research groups and engineering teams investigating dexterous manipulation. Human-scale robotic hands are used to study object handling, finger coordination and the relationship between a grasp plan and its physical execution. The published joint layout gives these teams a defined structure around which to organise experiments.

Teams developing humanoid manipulation concepts also have reason to assess this class of component. However, belonging to the humanoid accessory category does not establish a mounting, electrical or software match with a specific robot. An integration brief should address mechanical attachment, power provision, communications and control access before a platform decision is made.

For researchers whose work specifically requires tactile input, the Unitree Dex5-S Pro 22-DOF Tactile Dexterous Hand is the version to discuss because tactile sensing is expressly listed for it. For projects focused on the Dex5-S mechanical specification, the base version remains the subject of this page. Educational teams should likewise define their learning objectives and required control environment before requesting a configuration.

What is Unitree Dex5-S used for?

1. Grasp-planning research: Study how object shape, approach direction and finger placement influence the organisation of a grasp.
2. Finger-coordination experiments: Develop experimental tasks that examine how articulated fingers work together during object handling.
3. Manipulation benchmarking: Build repeatable laboratory procedures for comparing grasp strategies and recording task outcomes.
4. Humanoid integration studies: Assess the mechanical, electrical and control requirements of adding a dexterous hand to a research platform.
5. Vision-guided handling studies: Plan experiments linking visual observations to manipulation, with the Gigabit Ethernet palm-camera connection as a configuration consideration.
6. Robotics education: Use dexterous-hand research as a practical framework for teaching grasp planning, actuation and experimental evaluation.

Pricing and Availability

Request a quotation for the Dex5-S with a clear description of the intended application and connection configuration. Include the proposed host platform, the objects involved in the experiment and any requirement for camera integration. Distinguish the 2 kg maximum payload per hand from the 1 kg continuous working payload when describing the task; these are separate published limits, not interchangeable operating targets.

Delivery, customs and support are arranged with the quotation. A detailed request also provides the opportunity to resolve the unpublished integration and package information before procurement. Quotation requests for the Unitree Dex5-S are available on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many degrees of freedom does the Dex5-S have?

The Dex5-S has 22 DoF per hand. The thumb and pinky each have 5 DoF, and the index, middle and ring fingers each have 4 DoF.

What payload does the Dex5-S support?

The maximum payload is up to 2 kg per hand, and the continuous working payload is 1 kg. Use the continuous working figure when framing a sustained handling requirement rather than substituting the maximum figure.

Does the Dex5-S have tactile sensing?

Tactile sensing is listed for the Dex5-S Pro, while the Dex5-S specification has no tactile-sensing entry. Specify a tactile requirement explicitly when requesting a quotation so that version selection addresses the intended experiment.

Which power and connection options are listed?

The input range is 15–65 V. Connection options are Gigabit Ethernet, USB or high-speed RS-485.

How does the palm camera connect?

With the Gigabit Ethernet configuration, the palm camera plugs straight into the hand without external cabling. This connection feature does not establish the contents of the supplied package.

What protects the joints during an impact?

An impact protection structure shields the gears from damage when a joint motor takes an extreme external impact. All 22 DoF are protected, but this feature does not define application-level safety limits.

Where can I buy Unitree Dex5-S and what does it cost?

Request a quotation through this page for the required Dex5-S configuration. The quotation establishes the commercial terms and addresses delivery, customs and support.

Summary

The value of a dexterous hand lies in how its movements become a controlled grasp, not in joint count alone. The Dex5-S combines a human-scale layout, differentiated finger articulation, backdrivable motors and impact protection with defined payload and connection specifications. The next step is to match those facts to the task, resolve the unpublished integration details and select the appropriate version; this page is the starting point.