Donald Dalli

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Donald Dalli is a robotics researcher whose work focuses on the development of minimal anthropomorphic robot hands—a field that seeks to balance dexterity with mechanical simplicity. His key research areas include robotic manipulation, biomimetic design, and underactuated mechanisms. Dalli’s major contribution lies in challenging the prevailing trend toward complex, high-degree-of-freedom hands; instead, he has demonstrated that acceptable dexterity can be achieved with a reduced joint architecture. His foundational paper, “Towards the development of a minimal anthropomorphic robot hand” (2014), has garnered 6 citations and lays the groundwork for a more efficient approach to hand design. This work led to the creation of the University of Malta Minimal Anthropomorphic Robot (UM-MAR) Hand II, detailed in a 2016 paper (2 citations), which quantitatively validates that a ten-joint, eight-degree-of-freedom hand can perform dexterous tasks. Dalli’s research is notable for its potential to lower the cost and complexity of prosthetic and industrial robotic hands, making advanced manipulation more accessible. His work represents a thoughtful, evidence-based departure from conventional design philosophies, offering a compelling path forward for practical robotic hands.