Sawyer Running on Intera software, Rethink Robotics' new single-arm robot can adapt to conditions on the plant floor and integrate seamlessly into existing work cells designed for humans. It features an embedded vision system, which includes cameras in its head and wrist, so that it can perform applications requiring both a wide field of view, as well as precision. Weighing only 42 pounds, it has an 8.8-pound payload with 7 degrees of freedom and a reach of about 3.28 feet. A base model costs $29,000.
What's new? Limited international release, which started this summer, in North America, Europe, China and Japan.
Benefits Speed, flexibility, adaptability and agility to work in semi-structured environments and tight spaces; and cost savings over human labor. Sawyer can execute machine tending, circuit-board testing and other precise tasks that have historically been impractical to automate. The robot's vision system and compliant motion control allow it to operate accurately and safely, and with its compact size, it can maneuver into and around fixtures and machines, even when parts or positions vary.
Rethink Robotics Inc., Boston, 866-704-7400, www.rethinkrobotics.com
