Hand, holding device, and cargo-handling system

A hand comprising:

• a first holding unit including a plurality of first holding portions capable of holding an object, each of the plurality of first holding portions includes a first rod extending along a first direction and a first suction pad provided at a tip end of the first rod, the first direction being along a vertical direction, a plurality of the first holding units being provided in a second direction and being movable independently of each other in the first direction, the second direction crossing the first direction;
• and
• a second holding unit being movable in a third direction crossing a plane parallel to the first direction and the second direction, the second holding unit including a plurality of second holding portions capable of holding the object, each of the plurality of second holding portions includes a second rod extending along the third direction and a second suction pad provided at a tip end of the second rod, a plurality of the second holding units are provided in the second direction,
• wherein, each of the plurality of second holding units is connected, via a respective link mechanism, to a corresponding one of the plurality of first holding units, such that a position in the first direction of each of the plurality of second holding units varies in accordance with a position in the first direction of the corresponding first holding unit, and
• wherein, if the plurality of first holding units respectively contact objects at different heights, positions in the first direction of the first holding units are mutually different, thereby causing positions in the first direction of the second holding units to be mutually different.