This $300 robotic hand can open a soda, hold an iPhone, and move like a human
Published on Oct 25, 2025 at 5:11 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Oct 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A new open-source robotic hand is changing what $300 can buy.
It’s called the Aero Hand Open, and it can twist a bolt, lift an iPhone, and open a soda can like a pro.
You can buy it as a ready-to-use unit or assemble it yourself from a kit.
Either way, it might change the way you live.
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How the $300 robotic hand actually works
The Aero Hand Open was created by TetherIA, a team focused on making practical robots anyone can build.
Instead of hiding a motor in every joint, they use tendons.
Thin cables that run through each finger and move several joints at once.
That gives the hand natural, flexible motion without the weight or cost of extra hardware.
It has 15 joints in total, with seven under your direct control, and weighs just 450 grams.
Because of the way it’s built, the fingers automatically adjust to whatever they grab – a phone, a can, even a screw.
That kind of self-adjusting grip is a big deal in robotics, since most robot hands either crush or drop what they’re holding.
This one finds the balance on its own, gripping firmly but never too hard.
The kit version includes everything you need: 3D-print files, electronics, and open-source software.
If you’d rather skip assembly, TetherIA also sells prebuilt models that plug in through USB-C.
Once connected, the hand powers up instantly and starts responding to commands.
Want it to move faster, grip tighter, or hold steadier?
Just edit a few lines of code.
The full design, including CAD files, circuit boards, and control software, lives on GitHub, open for anyone to customize.
The team behind the project
TetherIA’s name says a lot about the Californian startup’s mindset.
‘Tether’ for the cables that make the hand move, and ‘IA’ – AI reversed – for the idea that humans should guide artificial intelligence, not follow it.
The team built the Aero Hand Open so anyone – students, hobbyists, or engineers – can try real robotics without needing a lab.
It’s not packed with sensors or fancy materials, but that’s the idea.
It’s robotics made easy.
For about $314, you can turn a complex research project into a weekend build.
Now the future of robotics isn’t locked away.
It’s right on your desk, ready to move.
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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
