Bota Systems brings a touch of torque to robotics
Multi-axis force torque sensor developer, Bota Systems has partnered with robotic expert, Kinova, to develop a mounting kit designed to support developers integrate the six-axis Bota SensONE force torque sensor on a Kinova Gen3 robot arm.
The force torque sensor enhances the end-effector force torque sensitivity of the robot, said Bota, adding that the mounting kit eases installation using the few screws supplied with the kit.
Rodolphe Rosset, sales director, research and academic at Kinova, said: “While our Gen3 robot already has a built-in torque sensor, adding the Bota sensor takes its precision and sensitivity to a whole new level – meeting the demands from research laboratories for higher precision and higher sensitivity.”
A robotic force torque sensor measures force and torque when they are applied on its surface. By using the measured signals in real-time feedback control, robots can perform challenging interaction tasks. The sensor used most commonly in robotics of this type is a six-axis sensor, which measures forces and torques on three axes each.
The mounting kit will be shown at ICRA in London (29 May to 2 June) alongside Bota’s MiniONE sensor. This is the company’s smallest sensor to date. The six-axis sensor enhances micro-robotic systems with haptic feedback. It is simple to install between a robot arm and almost any end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), said Bota.
It weighs only 30g and has a tiny footprint with a diameter of 30mm and a depth of 22.2mm, making the MiniONE suitable for medical applications, product testing and precision tasks like micro-assembly and micro-polishing. It provides a low-noise signal with high sensitivity and outstanding drift performance, claimed Bota.
The MiniONE requires no external hardware for operation, added the company, It includes temperature sensors and built-in filters, making it easy to program and set-up.
Bota Systems develops and manufactures multi-axis force-torque sensors, torque sensors and custom sensors. Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from ETH Robotic Systems Lab, Bota Systems is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Its sensors give machines the sense of touch, and the company’s vision is for robots to work and move safely, and as naturally and freely as humans.
Bota Systems’ team of robotic, software, and mechanical engineers develops highly-integrated and advanced sensors to support a wide range of applications, across both research and industry.