The HW1 by Gesture Platforms is a 10-degree-of-freedom (DOF) high-dexterity robotic hand and wrist built around an ESP32-S3 wireless MCU. It’s primarily designed for researchers, educators, and hobbyists; it bridges the gap between basic DIY robotic hands and expensive industrial models.
The device weighs just around 500 grams but can handle a 1kg dynamic load and a 3kg static load. It communicates via USB-C or Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with a companion desktop app as well as Python and C++ SDKs for custom development.
Gesture HW1 specifications:
- Microcontroller – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 microprocessor with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE connectivity
- Degrees of Freedom (active) – 10 DOF
- Finger Flexion – 0° – 90° (at each joint)
- Finger Adduction/Abduction – -10° – 40°
- Thumb Flexion/Extension – 0° – 120°
- Thumb Adduction/Abduction – 20° – 90°
- Thumb Distal Flexion – 0° – 90°
- Wrist Flexion/Extension – -50° – 50°
- Wrist Radial/Ulnar Deviation – -10° – 40°
- Joints – 19 joints total
- Payload – 1kg dynamic / 3kg static load
- Accuracy/Repeatability – ±1mm
- Control Speed – 100Hz
- Sensors – Angle (at motor), Current, Temperature
- USB – 1x USB Type-C port for communications
- Misc
- 4 x user-programmable RGB LEDs
- Four-way stretch fabric cover prevents debris from entering joints
- Power – Via the XT60 connector on the side
- Dimensions – ~275mm total height (fits men-small / women-medium gloves)
- Weight – ~500 grams
- Mounting – M3x0.5 threads (depth of 4.5mm)
The HW1 uses aluminum gears at key joints like the wrist for better strength and durability, while its skeleton is made from lightweight, strong glass and carbon-fiber-filled polycarbonate, and the outer shell uses ASA plastic to handle heat and rough use. The fingertips are covered with soft silicone (Shore 30A) to improve grip. Gesture Platforms states that it will provide STEP files, so users can 3D print, modify, or replace the outer parts easily. Most probably, they will release the file after the campaign ends.
On the software side, the company provides a plug-and-play desktop application for Windows 10/11. The app also works completely offline and features four control modes, which include Text (importing .csv files), Timeline (keyframe-style editing), Controller (mapping to a standard game controller), and Stream (real-time input). For more advanced users, C++ and Python SDKs will be available to integrate the hand into custom machine learning and control algorithms.
We have previously written about a range of ESP32-based robotic arms, such as the RoArm-M3-Pro and RoArm-M3-S, the Tobor open-source modular robotic arm, and the MyCobot Robotic Arm, but we haven’t covered robotic hands as much. We did cover the Amazing Hand, an 8-DoF 3D-printable DIY open-source robotic hand, and on the other side of the spectrum, we mentioned the high-end Dex5 dexterous hand in our article about the Unitree R1-A5 and R1-A7 humanoid robot. The Gesture HW1 offers something in the middle in terms of price and functionality.
The Gesture HW1 ESP32-S3 high-dexterity robotic hand is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. The “Launch Day Special” reward requires a $699 pledge (limited to 100 units), while the standard “Early Backer” tier is available for $849. A double pack for both the left and right hands is available for $1,599. Shipping is not included and will be charged after the campaign; deliveries are estimated to begin in November 2026.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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