Unitree Dex5-S Review: Specs, Price and Uses of the 22-DoF Dexterous Hand
Updated: 7 days ago
The Unitree Dex5-S is a five-finger dexterous hand with 22 degrees of freedom, priced from $6,350. This review covers its specifications, price and uses.
Quick Verdict
The Dex5-S has more independent joints than Unitree's Dex5-1: 22, every one driven by its own direct-drive motor, including five in the thumb and an extra roll axis in the little finger. Direct drive makes the fingers backdrivable, so they yield on impact, and the maker lists impact protection on all 22 joints. The hand is thin, 26 mm, and weighs 620 g. The cost of small direct-drive motors is strength: 1 kg continuous and 2 kg peak. The Pro version adds tactile sensing. From $6,350 it is a research hand for fine manipulation, not for heavy objects.
Unitree Dex5-S at a Glance
Degrees of freedom: 22
Weight: 620 g
Payload: 1 kg continuous; 2 kg peak
Motors: 22 direct-drive
Control rate: 1000 Hz
Price: from $6,350
Unitree Dex5-S Technical Specifications
The table below lists the manufacturer's specifications.
Specification | Unitree Dex5-S |
Manufacturer | Unitree Robotics |
Versions | Dex5-S; Dex5-S Pro with tactile sensing |
Degrees of freedom | 22 |
Thumb | 5 |
Index, middle, ring | 4 each |
Little finger | 5 |
Payload | 1 kg continuous; 2 kg peak |
Dimensions | 102 x 187 x 26 mm |
Weight | 620 g |
Housing | Aluminium alloy |
Encoders | Dual |
Supply voltage | 15 to 65 V |
Peak power | 200 W |
Communication | T1S Ethernet x 2, high-speed RS-485, USB |
Control rate | 1000 Hz over Ethernet or USB; 50 Hz over RS-485 |
Price | From $6,350 |
Design and Build Quality
All 22 motors are direct-drive and backdrivable, without high-ratio gears that can break under shock. The housing is aluminium alloy.
Programming and Software
Feedback
Joint mode, position, velocity, torque, temperature, voltage and current.
Control
Position, velocity, torque, stiffness and damping per joint.
Unitree Dex5-S Applications and Use Cases
In-Hand Manipulation Research
22 independent joints for dexterous skills.
Humanoid Robots
A thin, light hand for humanoid arms.
Teleoperation and Data Collection
Close mapping from a human hand.
Unitree Dex5-S Price and Value
Unitree lists the Dex5-S from $6,350, excluding tax and shipping. The price of the Pro version is not stated separately in the source used.
For the company behind the product, read the Unitree Robotics Company Profile: History, Products, Stock Listing and Controversies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
22 independent degrees of freedom
Direct-drive, backdrivable joints
620 g and 26 mm thin
1000 Hz control
Published starting price
Cons
1 kg continuous payload
Tactile sensing only on the Pro
No protection rating stated
Who Should Buy the Unitree Dex5-S?
It fits laboratories and humanoid developers working on fine, contact-rich manipulation of light objects.
Unitree Dex5-S FAQ
How much does the Unitree Dex5-S cost?
From $6,350, according to Unitree.
How many degrees of freedom does the Unitree Dex5-S have?
22.
How much can the Unitree Dex5-S hold?
1 kg continuously and 2 kg at peak.
How much does the Unitree Dex5-S weigh?
620 g.
Does the Unitree Dex5-S have tactile sensing?
The Dex5-S Pro version does.
What motors does the Unitree Dex5-S use?
22 direct-drive, backdrivable motors.
How is the Unitree Dex5-S connected?
By T1S Ethernet, high-speed RS-485 or USB.
What is the difference between the Dex5-S and Dex5-1?
The Dex5-S has 22 direct-drive joints and a 1 kg payload; the Dex5-1 has 20 degrees of freedom with 16 active and holds up to 4.5 kg.
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
