AbstractThis paper reports our study of an adaptive finite‐time neural network control scheme for redundant parallel manipulators. The proposed controller is based on fully tuned radial basis function neural networks (RBFNs), nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control (NFTSMC), and nonlinearities in output feedback. RBFNs with a fully online update on the output weights and both the centers and variances of Gaussian functions are used to estimate system uncertainties and disturbances. The proposed approach possesses several advantages over other existing approaches like robustness, rapid response, nonsingularity, higher precision, finite‐time convergence, and better tracking control performance. The stability of the parallel manipulators is ensured by the Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.