Industrial Robot Arm is designed for optimal dexterity.
Press Release Summary:
Modeled after human arm, Cyton(TM) Gamma(TM) features 7 axes - 3 each for shoulder and wrist, and one for elbow - for kinematic redundancy. This enables more than one way to move axes to achieve particular hand motion, allowing arm to reach around obstacles and optimizing dexterity. Weighing 2 kg, arm can lift its own weight, occupies 15 x 18 cm footprint, and offers reach comparable to human arm. It is controlled by Energid Technologies' Actin software and connects via USB to computer.
Original Press Release:
Robai Offers Cyton Gamma Humanoid Robot Arm
Lightweight Powerful Robot Arm Lets Humans and Robots Work Together
PHILADELPHIA -- Robai has released the most advanced version of its Cyton(TM) robot arms, the Cyton Gamma(TM).
The Cyton Gamma is different from typical industrial robot arms in that it is modeled after the human arm -- the shoulder and wrist each have three axes and the elbow has one. These seven axes make the arm what researchers call kinematically redundant, meaning there is more than one way to move the axes to achieve a particular hand motion.
Kinematic redundancy enables reaching around obstacles with a larger workspace and more dexterity, but has not yet been broadly used in industry due to the computational complexity of its control. Robai addresses this by leveraging advanced control software from Energid Technologies.
"Energid's Actin robotic control software was originally developed to make the most of complex robotic hardware at NASA," says James English, CTO of Energid. "Only the Cyton uses Actin to enable wide application of robotics."
A key design consideration for the Gamma was broad applicability. "The arm is remarkably light and powerful," says Ranjan Mishra, the lead mechanical designer for the Gamma. "At only 2 kg, it is lighter than a laptop computer -- and it can lift its own weight."
With a 15x18 cm footprint and reach comparable to a human arm, the Gamma is user friendly and easy to apply. A bi-handed version of the arm is available to match bimanual human tasks.
The arm connects through USB to any standard computer (running Windows, Linux, or OSX) and can be set up in minutes. With the powerful Actin software the arm can be programmed using a graphical interface by anyone. The arm has been matured through customer beta testing with applications as varied as remote inspection, healthcare, and manufacturing.
"Our obsession has been on ease of use. We want the Gamma to be the first accessible robot on the market," said Neil Tardella, COO of Robai. "This is not just another robot for roboticists."
Robai has added support for the Robotic Operating System (ROS) so engineers can integrate the arms with other ROS enabled devices, and Robai will release a developer's kit for the Gamma that will allow third parties to create and sell plugin apps.
For additional information, contact Chris Aloisio, (412) 307-3050 x422.
About Robai
Robai builds and markets the Cyton line of humanoid robot arms and hands. These systems take advanced robotics out of research and into industry. Robai's Cyton Gamma is the latest offering from the company.
About Energid Technologies
Energid Technologies develops robotic software for the aerospace, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, defense, and medical industries. Energid's Actin(TM) and Selectin(TM) products provide advanced technology in the form of extensible software toolkits. Energid specializes in control, simulation, sensing, and communications for complex systems.
© 2012 Robai. All rights reserved. Cyton, Gamma, and the Robai logo are trademarks of Robai.
CONTACT: Chris Aloisio, +1-412-307-3050 x422, pr@robai.com
