With a growing community for both educational and
hobbyist purposes, robotic kits are invaluable resources
to learn about mechanics, electronics, and programming.
Programmable or not, all of the robotic arm kits reviewed
in this article are designed to be used by beginners and
up to advanced users, used by anyone from students to
hobbyists able to improve the skills and start building
robotic projects including a powerful tool such as a
robotic arm.
In general terms, a wide range of robotic arms are used
in different areas including here service or industrial
applications. If an industrial robotic arm is used for
tasks such as measuring, pick and place, assembly lines,
and many more industrial applications, a robot arm kit is
a powerful resource for research, as a trainer kit in
education and for DIY robotic projects.
starting with two and going forward to seven degrees of
freedom, all of the robotic arms explored in this article
are designed to replicate a human arm, but with changes
to fit the requirements of the application area.
The kits reviewed in this article are mini robotic arms
compared with the heavy duty industrial robots, but with
a few additional tools these can replicate the abilities
and functionalities of an industrial robotic arm.
Robotic arm kits are engineered for low payloads due to a
fragile structure, but the same structure allows you to
add additional components such as sensors and actuators.
Working on an opened architecture, the robotic arms are
programmable and compatible with several other DIY
components often used in robotics projects such as the
Arduino.
Robotic Arms With 2 DOFA robotic arm with two degrees of freedom allows simple
tasks like grasping objects or sorting and move objects.
Used by beginners or hobbyists in different projects,
these simple kits can become a good start to start
building skills in electronics and programming.
A robotic arm with two degrees of freedom is more than a
toy for a child who’s trying to enter into the world of
industrial and service robotic arms.
More or less programmable, the kits could be used for
simple tasks like grasp small objects and lift, or even
more, a robotic platform like Mr. Tidy with two degrees
of freedom of the arm is able to sort and move objects.
Stacker Robot Kit
Stacker Robot Kit
The Stacker kit is a simple robotic arm with two wheels
and two degrees of freedom. On the arm could be added two
additional degrees of freedom by integrating a
differential drive for the rolling base. This robot kit
was designed for educational and hobby purposes, while
the package includes electronics and remote control. The
wheels are driven by two rotation servos, while one servo
is used to lift the arm and another servo for open and
close the gripper.
Features:
dimensions:24,7-cm H x 19,6-cm W x 26-cm D;
customizable framework;
large electronics compartment;
omni-directional movement;
stainless steel castor;
3-inch drive wheels;
gripper spread: 10,7-centimeters;
Khepera III
Khepera III
This small robotic arm kit is engineered with two degrees
of freedom and a wide range of applications. It could be
used for a maximum payload of 50 grams, while the entire
weight of the kit is around 500 grams. Attached to a
mobile robot platform, the arm can grasp and transport
small objects.
Even is not included in the Khepera III package, the
gripper robotic arm can be interfaced using the KoreBot
II embedded PC extension. The robot kit can be programmed
uses a list of API’s and is good to know that is
compatible with VREP simulation environment.
Features:
2 degrees of freedom;
can lift a maximum weight of 50 grams;
has a total weight of 0.5 kilograms;
compatible with VREP simulation environment;
Robotic Arms With 4 DOFWith four degrees of freedom we have entered into the
advanced robotic arm area designed not just to lift up or
down objects, it could also be used for rotating and let
the object in different areas than the initial place.
Four is double of two, double of two degrees of freedom
and ready to enter into the area of advanced robotic
arms.
In the following, I explore several robotic arm kits with
four degrees of freedom special designed for educational
or hobbyist robotic projects.
AL5D
AL5D
AL5D is the most advanced robotic arm from a series of
many more robotic arms from Lynxmotion. With four degrees
of freedom, the Lynxmotion kit is based on Hitec servos
while the arm is designed to reach high distances for its
size with a horizontal length of 25 centimeters and a
maximum payload of 370 grams. The values are available
for AL5D, which is the most advanced robotic arm from its
series.
The AL5D has four degrees of freedom, which could be
increased with another one degree of freedom by adding a
rotating wrist joint. Built from aluminum, the arm has a
high resistance to a significant load applied to its
size.
Based on ATMEGA168-20PU microcontroller capable to
control at the same time up to 32 servomotors, the
robotic arm could be enhanced with many more controls
based on Lynx software and RS232 interface.
Another software called RIOS is used to write programming
code and to upload the program into the microcontroller.
Features:
ATMEGA168-20PU microcontroller;
payload of 370 grams;
horizontal reached distance of 25 centimeters;
arm construction is based on aluminium;
RIOS software is used to write and upload scripts
into microcontrollers;
Mini Robot Arm
Mini Robot Arm
Designed and build by Arexx, the Mini robotic arm kit is
perfect for hobbyists who tries to enter into the world
of mechanics, electronics, and programming. The kit is
based on ATMEGA64 microcontroller and support C
programming lines written in Open Source Tools. Using USB
interface, the program written in C to control the arm
can be uploaded in the microcontroller with the Uploader
software.
With a flexible structure, the Mini Robot Arm could be
enhanced with sensors for environmental reactions.
Features:
ATMEGA64 microcontroller;
I/O inputs and outputs;
I2C bus;
4 mini-servos;
2 maxi-servos;
metal chassis and plastic based arm;
arm length 260 mm;
height 320 mm;
base diameter 150 mm;
power supply 6 to 12V;
USB interface;
UArm
uArm Complete Assembled Acrylic Kit
uArm is a 4-axis robot arm with parallel-mechanism and
modeled after the industrial robot from ABB – PalletPack.
The arm is powered by Arduino board, and can be
controlled wireless using Bluetooth connection.
Features:
3 servos;
1 micro servo;
1 Arduino board;
1 Gripper;
robotic arm kit with USB PC interface;
Robotic Arms 5 DOFOne degree of freedom in plus is more than enough to
develop complex applications where with a flexible
gripper for example is could spend less time and
movements for the same task.
With five degrees of freedom you can use the robotic arm
for advanced applications such as grasping objects and
moving around the arm with a minimum number of moves.
Robotic Arm 5 DOF DIY Kit
Robotic Arm 5 DOF DIY Kit
With four degrees of freedom of the arm and one degree of
freedom for gripper, this is a fully programmable robot
arm kit compatible with Arduino and Rhino. The arm could
be controlled via PC or optional through wireless by
adding a Bluetooth module for servo controller. With a
flexible structure, the arm could host many more servos,
while the number of applications where the robot arm can
be used could be increased by adding more additional
tools. The arm has a maximum reach of 320 millimeters
with a maximum payload of 300 grams.
If you have C programming language skills, this robotic
arm kit is a powerful platform to apply your knowledge
and build several other robotic projects.
Features:
four degrees of freedom for arm and one for gripper;
arm maximum reach from base: 320 mm;
maximum payload: 300 grams;
power requirement: 5 to 6 VDC;
two high torque metal gear servos;
three double bearing servo motors;
OWI Robotic Arm
OWI Robotic Arm
At an affordable price and built especially for
beginners, the OWI is a simple robotic arm kit part of a
robotic manipulator with five degrees of freedom. In
original form, the kit is not programmable and can be
controlled only with a remote control, but with
additional electronics, the arm can be controlled by
running a program.
The structure is based on plastic, and is engineered with
four degrees of freedom for arm and another one DOF for
the gripper.
If the load exceeds the maximum capacity of 100 grams,
there are audio and light warnings to notify the user
that the arm could be damaged.
Features:
120 degrees for wrist motion range;
300 degrees for elbow range;
base rotated 270 degrees vertically and 180
horizontally;
arm vertical reach 38 centimeters;
arm horizontal reach of 32 centimeters;
total weight of 658 grams;
maximum loading of 100 grams;
Pincher AX-12 Robot Arm
Pincher AX-12 Robot Arm
The AX-12 robotic arm is a platform designed to be used
on additional mobile platforms such as TurtleBot ROS.
Located on a mobile platform, the robotic arm could be
used to build a wide range of applications like picking
up small objects and moving in other places.
Features:
AX-12A Dynamixel actuators;
ABS construction;
servos come labled and pre-ID’d;
Arbotix Robocontroller for onboard processing;
custom parallel gripper;
camera and sensors mounting brackets;
Robotics PhantomX
Robotics PhantomX
The second robotic kit from Phantom is an advanced
robotic arm with five degrees of freedom and 7 AX-12A
Dynamixel actuators. With a maximum range of 43
centimeters and wrist rotation option, can lift a weight
of up to 500 grams, while the entire weight of the arm is
1.4 kilograms.
Based on ArbotiX controller, the arm could operate in
autonomous mode or controlled via PC or radio remote
control.
Fully programmable, the kit could be used by beginners as
well as advanced users in DIY applications including
picking up and moving objects.
Features:
AX-12A servos;
14cm ball bearing base;
dual servo shoulder;
ABS construction;
Arbotix Robocontroller for onboard processing;
custom parallel gripper;
mounting brackets for cameras and sensors;
Robotic Arms With 6 DOFWith only one degree of freedom less than the human arm,
a robotic arm with six degrees of freedom can be used in
complex applications where an object can be moved up and
down, left and right, or forward and backward.
With these robotic arm kits we’re closer to reach all the
degrees of freedom of a human arm.
Katana
Katana
The Katana is a robotic arm kit for adults equipped with
eight infrared and four force sensors. It is designed for
high precision and can lift a maximum weight of 0.5Kg
with a horizontal length of about 60 cm.
Features:
total weight: 5 kg;
maximum payload: 0.5 kg;
motors: DC Motors;
integrated encoders;
speed: 90° per second (per axis);
reach: 60 cm;
precision: +/-0.1mm repeatability;
infrared sensors: 8;
force sensors: 4;
Kinova JACO RE
Kinova JACO RE
Designed especially for research applications, JACO RE is
a robotic arm with six degrees of freedom and unlimited
rotation on its axes. With a resistant structure based on
carbon fiber and aluminum, the arm could be integrated in
static to mobile platforms.
The design includes compact actuator discs linked
together with zero insertion force (ZIF) cable.
The arm has attached a three-finger gripper with
individual control for each finger. With support for
Ubuntu Linux and Windows operating systems, JACO has
available API’s to control the arm movements, while for
the basic control is used Kinova JACOsoft software.
Using lightweight materials for structure, the total
weight of the arm is only 5,7 kilograms and support a
maximum payload of 1,5 kilograms.
Features:
3 plastic fingers with 3 joints each;
controlled by Kinova JACOsoft software;
robotic arm kit with USB PC interface;
support for Ubuntu Linux and Windows (XP, Vista, 7)
operating systems;
weight: 5,7 kilograms;
arm extension: 90 centimeters;
Dagu
Dagu
Built from aluminum and equipped with six degrees of
freedom, the Dagu is one of the most advanced robotic
arms with a length of 39 centimeters and with a brain
based on ATMega168 microcontroller. With up to 32 servos
controlled by the same board – Atrexx, the robot kit can
be controlled and programmed using the RS232 serial port
or WiFi module.
Features:
microcontroller:ATMega168;
maximum length: 39 centimeters;
base and arm servos: 4 12 kg*cm (1,17 Nm);
gripper and wrist micro servos: 2 1,8 kg*cm (0,17
Nm);
TROBOT 4.0
TROBOT 4.0
The six degrees of freedom robotic arm called TROBOT is
designed especially for industrial applications and can
be controlled using the ABB RobotStudio software.
Additionally, the kit is not equipped with servo and
accessories, which must be purchased separately.
Features:
control: ABB RobotStudio software;
ethernet interface: control the robot from a PC;
Clamp Robot Arm Kit
Clamp Robot Arm Kit
The clamp arm is a small robotic arm kit with an
affordable price and based on the SSC32 servo controller
interfaced with the Arduino single board computer. Fully
programmable, the arm is a powerful tool able to build a
service or industrial applications.
Features:
arm height: 320mm;
weight: 600g;
gripper: LG-NS;
multifunction brackets:4;
advance rotation base:180 degrees;
Hitec 311 servo:2;
DF05BB high torque Servo:1;
DF15MG high torque Servo:1;
USB SSC32 Servo controller;
Robotic Arms 7 DOFSeven degrees of freedom mean that the robotic arm could
compete with a human arm. Starting from these kits you
can build robotic applications, which can full
replacement the human workers on assembly lines, for
example.
All of these seven DOF mimic a human arm.
WAM Arm
WAM Arm
WAM arm uses Transparent Dynamics technology for a
direct-drive capability for motors and joints with a high
impact of arm torque. Mimicking the human arm
capabilities, the WAM arm is characterized by flexibility
and dexterity.
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