Robotic arm explained

A robotic arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar functions to a human arm; the arm may be the sum total of the mechanism or may be part of a more complex robot.[1] The links of such a manipulator are connected by joints allowing either rotational motion (such as in an articulated robot) or translational (linear) displacement.[2] [3] The links of the manipulator can be considered to form a kinematic chain. The terminus of the kinematic chain of the manipulator is called the end effector and it is analogous to the human hand. However, the term "robotic hand" as a synonym of the robotic arm is often proscribed.

Classification

A serial robot arm can be described as a chain of links that are moved by joints which are actuated by motors. An end-effector, also called a robot hand, can be attached to the end of the chain. As other robotic mechanisms, robot arms are typically classified in terms of the number of degrees of freedom. Usually, the number of degrees of freedom is equal to the number of joints that move the links of the robot arm. At least six degrees of freedom are required to enable the robot hand to reach an arbitrary pose (position and orientation) in three dimensional space. Additional degrees of freedom allow to change the configuration of some link on the arm (e.g., elbow up/down), while keeping the robot hand in the same pose. Inverse kinematics is the mathematical process to calculate the configuration of an arm, typically in terms of joint angles, given a desired pose of the robot hand in three dimensional space.[4]

Types

Notable robotic arms

Four notable manufacturers of robotic arms include FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa, and KUKA.

FANUC was established in Japan in 1972. As of 2023, they have shipped over 1 million robots.[6] In 2022, VW Group purchased 1,300 FANUC arms for automobile production.[7] Additionally, FANUC announced in 2025 that it sold 50 more robots for car painting.[8] In November 2025, FANUC unveiled a new robot arm aimed to target food handling and cleaning applications.[9]

ABB was established in Switzerland in 1988. In October 2025, ABB announced that its industrial robotics division was sold to the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank for USD$5.4 billion.[10] [11] In May 2025, ABB showed off a collaboration with California restaurant Burgerbots. The arms were capable of assembling customized burgers in under 30 seconds.[12]

Yaskawa was established in Japan in 1915 and started developing the MOTO arm series in the 1960’s.[13] Their first robot arm, the Motoman-L10, started production in 1977. In 2021, Yaskawa announced that over 500,000 Motoman robots had been sold.[14] Yaskawa Europe has partnered with the Netherlands-based vision AI company Fizyr to create industrial robot arms, with ventures in automotive manufacturing and dishwashing.[15] [16]

KUKA was established in Germany in 1898 and began industrial robot development in 1971.[17] In 1973, KUKA introduced FAMULUS, the first electric six-axis robot arm.[18] In 2008, KUKA released the KR 1000 Titan, which was the first robot arm capable of lifting 1000 kilograms.[19] Since at least 2014, Tesla automotive factories have used KUKA arms to manufacture products like the Tesla Model X, Tesla Model 3, and the Tesla Cybertruck.[20] [21] [22]

In space, the Canadarm and its successor Canadarm2 are examples of multi degree of freedom robotic arms. These robotic arms have been used to perform a variety of tasks such as inspection of the Space Shuttle using a specially deployed boom with cameras and sensors attached at the end effector, and also satellite deployment and retrieval manoeuvres from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle.[23]

The Curiosity and Perseverance rovers on the planet Mars also use robotic arms.[24] [25] [26] [27] Additionally, Perseverance has a smaller sample caching arm hidden inside its body below the rover in its caching assembly.

TAGSAM is a robotic arm for collecting a sample from a small asteroid in space on the spacecraft OSIRIS-REx.[28]

The 2018 Mars lander InSight has a robotic arm called the IDA, it has a camera, grappler, and is used to move special instruments.[29]

Low-cost robotic arms

In the 2010s, the availability of low-cost robotic arms increased substantially. Low-cost arms have been marketed as hobby or educational devices and have found use in laboratory automation, like their use as autosamplers.[30] [31] Reductions in cost have been made possible by selling DIY robot arm kits, where consumers purchase servo motor kits from licensed distributors and 3D print the links and other parts from files online. One example of a low-cost arm is the Standard Open Arm from HuggingFace, who released their SO-101 robot arm model in April 2025 with pricing starting as low as USD$100.[32]

Open-source robotics arms such as MeArm[33] have further reduced costs and enabled iterative community improvements to designs. In 2024, HuggingFace released LeRobot, an open-source Python library designed for helping in the robot learning process. LeRobot supports the SO-101 and SO-100 models along with other low-cost arms such as the Koch v1.1 arm and the LeKiwi mobile robot.[34]

Robotic hands

The end effector, or robotic hand, can be designed to perform any desired task such as welding, gripping, spinning etc., depending on the application. For example, robot arms in automotive assembly lines perform a variety of tasks such as welding and parts rotation and placement during assembly. In some circumstances, close emulation of the human hand is desired, as in robots designed to conduct bomb disarmament and disposal or when performing robot-assisted surgeries.[35]

Teleoperation of robotic arms and hands is a popular way to develop control methods for robot arms. One or more "master" arms are used to control the motion of one or more "slave" or "follower" arms. The operator of the master arm may receive some form of feedback, such as visual or tactile feedback from the interaction of the follower arm and the environment.[36] [37] [38] [39]

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

The significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in robotic arm functioning and control has grown over the past few years. Even in unstructured surroundings, arms can identify and control a variety of items. This is possible because of vision-based AI systems. Motion planning, adaptive grasping, and the ability for robots to learn tasks from human examples are all made possible by machine learning. These features have expedited the usage of robotic arms in medical surgery, autonomous warehouses, and collaborative robots, among other applications.[40]

These AI-powered robotic arms are used more widely in the industrial sectors, logistics, healthcare, and also in the agricultural sectors. They increase productivity, eliminate human error, and do repetitive or precision-intensive activities faster than humans, such as assembling electronics, quality checking, and aiding in surgeries. These intelligent robotic arms automation helps reduce labor shortages and operating expenses across a number of different industries.[41]

The usage of edge computing, which allows robots to interpret sensor data in real time and make choices, is one recent advancement that has improved reaction times in fast-paced sectors. AI and sophisticated sensing are being used by collaborative robots, sometimes known as "cobots," to securely assist people. During joint work, they instinctively modify their motions. Robotic arms will also grow more autonomous, flexible and adaptive as machine learning and artificial intelligence advance, carrying out an ever widening range of activities in a variety of sectors.[42] [43]

Machine learning applications

AI-capable robotic arms are increasingly essential in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipping, healthcare, and agriculture. These robotic arms are used in manufacturing to do intricate and repetitive jobs with exceptional speed and accuracy, such as welding automotive parts and assembling electronic components. Machine learning algorithms that adapt to minute changes in components enable these jobs, increasing quality and reducing waste.[44] [45] AI-enabled robotic arms help solve manpower shortages and boost operational efficiency in logistics and warehousing by facilitating sorting, packaging, and palletizing with improved speed and precision.[46] Robotic-assisted surgeries are one example of a healthcare application where AI-driven arms increase dexterity and stability, allowing for less invasive treatments and faster recovery. AI-powered manipulators are also used in agricultural robots for precise planting, harvesting, and crop monitoring, maximizing resource efficiency and yield quality.[47] These robotic arms are further equipped with real-time sensor processing and autonomous decision-making capabilities, made possible by real time data analytics performed directly on robot and integrated AI systems. Collaborative robots, that are outfitted with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence may work securely alongside people, dynamically modifying their actions to improve both productivity and safety.[48] [49] A growing role for robotic arms is indicated by the ongoing development of machine learning models and sensor integration, which gradually increases their autonomy, adaptability, and range of applications in both existing and emergent industries.[50]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Almurib . Haider A. F. . Al-Qrimli . Haidar Fadhil . Kumar . Nandha . 2012-01-12 . A review of application industrial robotic design . 2011 Ninth International Conference on ICT and Knowledge Engineering . 105–112 . 10.1109/ICTKE.2012.6152387.
  2. https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iv/otm_iv_4.html OSHA Technical Manual
  3. Web site: Paper on Space Robotics, pg 9 . 2007-04-09 . 2017-11-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116081657/http://www.ssl.umd.edu/projects/rangertsx/data/spacerobotics-UNDSPST470.pdf . dead .
  4. Web site: Inverse Kinematics . 2026-01-01 . motion.cs.illinois.edu.
  5. Web site: Polar Robots: Types, Applications & Advantages. 28 May 2023 .
  6. Web site: FANUC's History - About FANUC - FANUC CORPORATION . 2025-11-23 . www.fanuc.co.jp.
  7. Web site: VW Group orders 1,300 new robots from Fanuc : Robotics Update . 2025-11-23 . Robotics Update . en-US.
  8. Web site: FANUC secures major robot order for car paint line : Robotics Update . 2025-11-23 . Robotics Update . en-US.
  9. Web site: Process and Control Today FANUC's new food/cleanroom robot pairs hygiene with high performance . 2025-11-23 . www.pandct.com.
  10. Web site: Kharpal . Arjun . 2025-10-08 . SoftBank to buy ABB robotics unit for $5.4 billion as it boosts its AI play . 2025-11-23 . CNBC . en.
  11. Web site: Revill . John . 2025-10-08 . SoftBank to buy ABB's robot business for $5.4 billion in push to merge AI and robotics . Reuters.
  12. Web site: 2025-04-29 . BurgerBots opens restaurant with ABB robots preparing fast food . 2025-11-23 . The Robot Report . en-US.
  13. Web site: History Yaskawa Global Site . 2025-11-23 . www.yaskawa-global.com.
  14. Web site: 2021-04-01 . 500.000 Motoman Robots from Yaskawa sold . 2025-11-23 . www.no.yaskawa.eu.com . nb-NO.
  15. Web site: Francis . Sam . 2025-06-24 . Fizyr and Yaskawa Europe agree new partnership with Bonetto Automation . 2025-11-23 . Robotics & Automation News . en-US.
  16. Web site: Francis . Sam . 2025-09-18 . Meiko Group partners with Fizyr and Yaskawa Europe on automated dishwashing . 2025-11-23 . Robotics & Automation News . en-US.
  17. Web site: History of KUKA: Automation then and now . 2025-11-23 . KUKA . en-US.
  18. Web site: KUKA Robotics: A Legacy of Innovation . 2025-11-23 . Robots.com . en-US.
  19. Web site: KUKA Robotics Corporation Introduces the KR 1000 Titan . 2025-11-23 . Automate . en.
  20. Web site: Ali . Iqtidar . 2017-04-26 . 467 Kuka Robots shipped to Model 3 factory ahead of production start in July - leaked photos . 2025-11-23 . X Auto . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2014-07-22 . Tesla Stocking Up On Robotics . 2025-11-23 . International Business Times . en-US.
  22. Web site: Lambert . Fred . 2022-12-24 . Tesla takes delivery of army of robots to build Cybertruck . 2025-11-22 . Electrek.
  23. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=/iel5/9317/29659/01347668.pdf IEEE Xplore:The Canadarm grasps this boom and can position it in the necessary positions to permit a complete inspection
  24. Web site: Curiosity Rover - Arm and Hand. 2012-08-21. JPL. NASA.
  25. Web site: Mars Science Laboratory Sample Acquisition, Sample Processing and Handling: Subsystem Design and Test Challenges. 2012-08-21. Jandura . Louise. JPL. NASA.
  26. News: Curiosity Stretches its Arm. 21 August 2012. NASA. https://web.archive.org/web/20120822102225/http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1317. dead. 22 August 2012. JPL. 2012-08-21.
  27. Web site: Mars Science Laboratory Robotic Arm. 2012-08-21. Rius . Billing . Richard . Fleischner. 2011. 15th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium 2011.
  28. Web site: OSIRIS-REx is Prepared to TAG an Asteroid. Hille. Karl. 2018-11-16. NASA. 2018-12-15.
  29. Web site: About the Lander | Spacecraft. 16 April 2024.
  30. Carvalho. Matheus C.. Eyre. Bradley D.. 2013-12-01. A low cost, easy to build, portable, and universal autosampler for liquids. Methods in Oceanography. 8. 23–32. 10.1016/j.mio.2014.06.001. 2013MetOc...8...23C .
  31. McMorran. Darren. Chung. Dwayne Chung Kim. Li. Jonathan. Muradoglu. Murat. Liew. Oi Wah. Ng. Tuck Wah. 2016-02-16. Adapting a Low-Cost Selective Compliant Articulated Robotic Arm for Spillage Avoidance. Journal of Laboratory Automation. 21. 6. en. 799–805. 10.1177/2211068216630742. 2211-0682. 26882923. free.
  32. Web site: Wiggers . Kyle . 2025-04-28 . Hugging Face releases a 3D-printed robotic arm starting at $100 . 2026-01-01 . TechCrunch . en-US.
  33. Web site: MeArm Open Source Robot Arm (source files). 21 June 2016.
  34. 2025-10-08 . International Conference on Learning Representations 2026 . LeRobot: An Open-Source Library for End-to-End Robot Learning . en.
  35. Web site: Jee . Charlotte . 2020-02-11 . Robot-assisted high-precision surgery has passed its first test in humans . 2026-01-01 . MIT Technology Review . en.
  36. Chan . Linping . Naghdy . Fazel . Stirling . David . 2014-02-14 . Application of Adaptive Controllers in Teleoperation Systems: A Survey . IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems . 44 . 3 . 337–352 . 10.1109/THMS.2014.2303983 . 2014ITHMS..44..337C . 2168-2305.
  37. Kebria . Parham M. . Abdi . Hamid . Dalvand . Mohsen Moradi . Khosravi . Abbas . Nahavandi . Saeid . 2018-11-15 . Control Methods for Internet-Based Teleoperation Systems: A Review . IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems . 49 . 1 . 32–46 . 10.1109/THMS.2018.2878815 . 2168-2305.
  38. Sirouspour . S. . 2005-12-31 . Modeling and control of cooperative teleoperation systems . IEEE Transactions on Robotics . 21 . 6 . 1220–1225 . 10.1109/TRO.2005.852254 . 2005ITRob..21.1220S . 1941-0468.
  39. Leonardis . Daniele . Gabardi . Massimiliano . Marcheschi . Simone . Barsotti . Michele . Porcini . Francesco . Chiaradia . Domenico . Frisoli . Antonio . 2024-08-07 . Hand Teleoperation with Combined Kinaesthetic and Tactile Feedback: A Full Upper Limb Exoskeleton Interface Enhanced by Tactile Linear Actuators . Robotics . en . 13 . 8 . 119 . 10.3390/robotics13080119 . free . 2218-6581. 11382/574239 . free .
  40. Jang . Seongwon . Jeong . Hyemi . Yang . Hyunseok . 2023-08-19 . MURM: Utilization of Multi-Views for Goal-Conditioned Reinforcement Learning in Robotic Manipulation . Robotics . 12 . 4 . 119 . 10.3390/robotics12040119 . free . 2218-6581.
  41. Web site: Robotic Arm Market Size to Hit USD 555.44 Billion by 2034 . 2025-11-23 . www.precedenceresearch.com . en.
  42. Web site: How Robotics Applications Are Transforming Healthcare and Manufacturing Efficiency RoboticsTomorrow . 2025-11-23 . www.roboticstomorrow.com . en-US.
  43. Patel . Romal Bharatkumar . 2023-02-22 . Revolutionizing Manufacturing How Robotics and Micro-Robotics are Transforming the Industry . International Journal of Computer Applications . 184 . 46 . 23–27 . 10.5120/ijca2023922569 . 0975-8887. free .
  44. Web site: Industrial robotics applications: Where robots are making the biggest impact - Standard Bots . 2025-11-23 . standardbots.com . en.
  45. Web site: 2025-02-05 . Building Smarter Robotic Arms in 2025 . 2025-11-23 . Labellerr AI . en.
  46. Book: Pereira . Gonçalo . Vicente . Cláudia . Faria . Jorge M. S. . Antioxidant Enzymatic Activity of Extracts from Hairy Roots of Root-Lesion-Nematode-Susceptible and -Resistant Cultivars of Medicago sativa . 2025-09-24 . The 4th International Electronic Conference on Agronomy . Basel Switzerland . MDPI . 13 . 10.3390/blsf2025041013 . free .
  47. Book: Pereira . Gonçalo . Vicente . Cláudia . Faria . Jorge M. S. . Antioxidant Enzymatic Activity of Extracts from Hairy Roots of Root-Lesion-Nematode-Susceptible and -Resistant Cultivars of Medicago sativa . 2025-09-24 . The 4th International Electronic Conference on Agronomy . Basel Switzerland . MDPI . 13 . 10.3390/blsf2025041013 . free .
  48. Book: Shan, Jingheng . Surgical Robotics: Recent Development Trends and Challenges . 2025-04-12 . 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Technologies for Industrial Automation (ROBOTHIA) . https://doi.org/10.1109/robothia63806.2025.10986348 . IEEE . 1–6 . 10.1109/robothia63806.2025.10986348 . 979-8-3503-5675-5 .
  49. Singh . Shubham . Sharma . Yash . Liaqat . Amer . Kalawsky . Roy S. . 2025-07-22 . Evaluation of XR device's real-world tracking accuracy and depth perception from an industrial point of view . Virtual Reality . 29 . 3 . 118 . 10.1007/s10055-025-01192-3 . 40708599 . 12283432 . 1434-9957.
  50. Dhhoka . Suujay . January 2023 . Applications of a Robotic Arm (A Dobot) . International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) . 10 . 1 . 412–415.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Robotic arm".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2026, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.