What kind of image do you have when you hear the keyword "robot"?
(Although the analogy may be a little old ...) You may think of something that imitates the human figure, such as Astro Boy or Tetsujin 28-go, so-called humanoids.
Some of the most famous robots with head, torso, arm, and leg functions like humans are as follows.
- Pepper (Softbank Robotics Co., Ltd.)
- NAO (Softbank Robotics Co., Ltd.-Aldebaran Robotics SAS)
- ASIMO (Honda motor industry stock company)
Also, I think it's easy to imagine not only humanoid robot pets but also animal robot pets.
- aibo (Sony Corporation)
- LOVOT (GROOVE X Co., Ltd.)
It can be said that these robots are recognized as being closer to us by having a "body" that is recognized as a living thing.
This time, we will introduce robots from all over the world from the perspective of individually possessing the functions of living things, rather than robots with such bodies.For each functional partI picked it up.We will also introduce videos of each product released by each manufacturer, so please see the actual movement and what you can do.
This article is "Hands / Arms-Things with Object Handling Functions".
We are planning to release additional editions such as "Undercarriage-Those with a movement function".
→ Suspension (Vehicle-type robot / Leg-type robot) has been released! (2021.2.18)
table of contents
Hands / arms – Those with object handling functions
What we introduce here are called robot hands and robot arms.Also called a manipulator in the engineering and industrial fields.
There is a strong image of a collaborative robot (Cobot) that picks up and assembles parts in the factory, but recently there are many scenes in which videos released by each manufacturer are supposed to be used at home, so our company It makes us feel that the future in which these robots will be used in our lives is just around the corner.
Hand (robot hand)
It is a robot that has multiple fingers and claws, and has the functions of pinching and grabbing, in human terms, from the wrist to the tip.There are various types depending on the number of fingers and the number of DoFs (degrees of freedom) that correspond to joints.It is often used in combination with the "arm" described later, and is the part responsible for specific "work".
EZGripper / SAKE Robotics (USA)
Gripper type robot hand with inferior drive mechanism.You can grab various things by using different actions such as pinching a thin object like a pencil with the tip and wrapping a large object.It can handle up to 5 kg, and can handle even heavier weights by synchronizing multiple EZ Grippers using an optional mounter.
In the video, you can see that EZ Griper has finely adjusted the gripping method according to the target and holds it firmly.
RH Manipulator, Dexterous Hand / Seed Robotics Ltd (UK)
There are five types of models with different motion accuracy depending on the number of fingers, the degree of freedom, and the number of actuators.The upper model (RH5D / RH7D) incorporates a spherical wrist joint that can control the adduction and flexion of the thumb independently, and an opposable thumb (a state in which the thumb can face other fingers of the same hand). It implements the important features of the human hand and enables advanced and complex operations.
In the video below, you can see the movement of the RH4D (3-finger type), which operates in the same way as the operator under sensor glove control, and the RH7D (4-finger type) on the table.
qb SoftHand / qbrobotics (Italy)
Anthropomorphic robot hand based on soft-robotics technology. The five fingers of 19DoF are controlled by a single motor, and it has the flexibility and adaptability to handle various objects without changing the control operation.Designed for industrial tasks qb SoftHand Industry And designed for educational and research applications qb SoftHand Research There are two types of models in the lineup, each of which has received UR + certification that can be used in combination with the UR robot (arm) of the Danish robot manufacturer Universal Robots.
In the video below, you can see how the bike is gripped, the accelerator is turned, the brakes are applied, and so on.As you can see at the end of the video, qb SoftHand has soft fingertips as its name suggests, it does not hurt what you handle, and it is less dangerous if it hits a person or another robot.
Arm (robot arm)
It is a robot that has multiple joints and has the role of moving the shoulders, elbows, and wrists of humans to bring them to the desired position. It is said that you can perform the same movements as humans do with 6 degrees of freedom (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. websiteThe explanation and video are very easy to understand).
The robot arm is basically used by attaching an end effector that has a function similar to the robot hand in the previous section to the tip.End effectors are not only those that pick and grab things like hands, but also those that operate air with a pump called a "suction cup" to attract and handle objects, and those that enable 3D printing. The feature is that it can be replaced according to the application.
* On the Unipos website, a function comparison table for Niryo One, OpenManipulator, X-Series Robotics Arms, uArm Swift Pro, etc. is posted. |
Ned / Niryo (France)
* January 2021, 1: Replaced with the latest model Ned
6-axis control open source robot arm.Various objects can be handled by replacing the 5 types of optional end effector parts.Compared to the previous model Niryo One, accuracy and reproducibility are improved (0.5 mm), and by adopting an aluminum structure that realizes smooth movement, collaboration that reproduces complicated movements required in the industrial field This model is for robots (Cobot). Suitable for robot utilization prototyping on production lines based on Industry 4.0 orientation.
In the video, using the company's Ecosystem (Conveyor Belt / Vision Set), Ned is doing pickup work that imagines the movement on the production line, and information such as specifications and features is introduced.
Open Manipulator / ROBOTIS (Korea)
A small robot arm for research and competition that uses ROBOTIS's digital command type servo motor X430 series for the joints. Light weight of 700g, it is suitable for mounting on mobile robots.It has a modular structure suitable for easy expandability and maintenance, and by using the CAD data provided by the manufacturer, it is possible to make the resin parts by yourself with a 3D printer. It is available in open source software such as ROS, Arduino and Processing.
The manufacturer has released introductory videos about Open Mnipulator in series 1 to 19 (the following is video 1).
X-Series Robotics Arms / Trossen Robotics (InterbotiX) (USA)
Similar to the above Open Manipulator, a small robot arm equipped with a ROBOTIS smart servo motor (DYNAMIXEL X-Series).There are four types of series for each mounted motor, and the model lineup is divided in detail according to reach length, payload, accuracy, etc.
In the video below, the "Puppet Control" function is used to operate one arm (torque-off state) directly by hand to move multiple models of X-Series Robotic Arm (torque-on state).It's beautifully synchronized and it feels good to see.
uArm Swift Pro / uFactory (China)
Consumer-level Arduino-based open source desktop robot arm.Like Niryo, this is also the best product for learning and teaching robotics such as Blocky support.The accuracy of reproducibility is high (0.2 mm), and by using optional parts sold separately, it is possible to realize slightly different things such as 3D printing and laser engraving.
In the video, uArm Swift Pro is used for games such as shogi and ice hockey, and the robot arm is casually used, such as tracking the operator's face and constantly applying a fan to the face. can do.
xArm / uFactory (China)
Like the above uArm, it is a product of uFactory, but it has a strong character as an industrial robot arm developed to improve the productivity and quality of the product.It has a reproducibility of 700mm and 0.1mm accuracy, and can be easily operated by the dedicated application xArm Studio without the need for coding. In addition, the xArm SDK compatible with Python, ROS, and C ++ is also provided.In addition, xArm is available in three models depending on the effective load and degree of freedom.
In the video, you can see how xArm, which has a maximum of 7 DoF degrees of freedom, can perform various tasks flexibly and smoothly.
Those that have the functions of hands / arms and undercarriage
By combining the "handling of objects" of the hands and arms with the "movement" of the undercarriage, the robot will be able to perform more specific tasks (behavior similar to humans).
Stretch RE / hello robot (USA)
A mobile manipulator equipped with a thin telescopic arm gripper that replaces the human arm on an autonomous mobile robot equipped with a 3D camera, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with 9 degrees of freedom, LiDAR, and an in-vehicle computer.The Compliant gripper, which comes by default, is a great gripper with springs and rubber suction cups that act as fingertips.Since it can come into contact with an object with high frictional force, it can also grab small objects such as tablets.
Research Editions are currently on sale for research purposes, but videos envision Strech in people's lives (hello robots are former Google employees Aaron Edsinger and Georgia. Founded by Professor Charlie Kemp of the Institute of Technology, we are working on the development of mobile manipulators to make the elderly, disabled and caregivers more prosperous and easier to live by utilizing robots).
Extra-What "extends" the functions of the hands and arms
It is a manufacturer of Brunel Hand (now discontinued) that we used to handle. Open BionicsNow Hero Arm We manufacture and sell a series of artificial limbs named.People with cool artificial limbs like characters in hero movies are dazzlingly enjoying their lifestyle.
Not only robots that extract human functions, but also robot technologies that extend human functions are advancing.Robot technology will advance in both directions in the future.
Other functional parts Links to articles
- "Undercarriage-things that have the function of movement"
- "Things responsible for sensory functions" (in preparation)
* We will inform you on this page as soon as it is ready for publication.
