Abstract: A hand apparatus of a robot includes fingers for clamping a first workpiece and inserting a second workpiece into the first workpiece, a compliance device disposed between an arm of the robot and the fingers, and a calculator for determining shifting information between the first and second workpieces. A memory memorizes design information associated with the insertion operation of the first and second workpieces, and the hand apparatus selects whether the compliance device is required or not on the basis of the information provided by the calculator and the memory.

Abstract: A hand mechanism for a robot is attached to the distal end of an arm portion of a robot and has independent modules for executing predetermined elementary motions, which modules can be combined with each other in selected arbitrary combinations to attain desired elementary motions. The hand mechanism includes a holder module which includes a fixing member fixed to the arm portion, an attaching plate to be attached to other modules and a coupling mechanism for coupling the fixing member and the attaching plate. The coupling mechanism includes angle an adjustment pin for adjusting the attaching angle of the attaching plate about the arm portion, and a shear pin bolt for releasing a coupling state between the fixing member and the attaching plate upon application of a shock to the hand mechanism.