Robotic arms are extremely complex mechanisms that are used in a variety of different applications. Industrial robotic arms are often used on automotive assembly lines, where they spray paint, weld and assemble cars. Other robotic arms are programmed to perform surgery inside the human body. Robotic arms can also be found at space stations and in other high-tech arenas.
Robots are often depicted in science fiction as humanoid machines that walk and talk like people. But the reality is that robotic technology can come in many forms. The most popular version of robotics is the robotic arm. This device has inspired generations of inventors, engineers and scientists to become involved with robotics as a hobby or career path.
Robotic arms have been around for decades, but they’ve only become more affordable and available to hobbyists within the past few years. Here’s a look at some of the best robotic arm kits currently available:
1. SunFounder DIY Robotic Arm Kit
Construct your own robot arm in just minutes with the SunFounder 4-Axis Servo Control Rollarm DIY kit. This robot arm kit is designed to follow any movement you make in front of the robotic arm, ideal for interactive projects. The Arduino Uno R3 compatible controller allows you to create your own robot using the Arduino IDE.
2. ArmUno 2.0 MeArm
The ArmUno 2.0 MeArm is an Arduino compatible DIY robot arm kit that includes our latest and best-selling MeCon intelligent motion software and an Arduino Mega 2560 R3 compatible controller. This robot arm kit is the most end-user cost-effective development platform for research, education, and hobby robotic control needs. The ArmUno 2.0 also includes a pre-programmed PCB on the motor driver on the USB breakout board (Arduino Compatible) PCB.
3. OWI Hydraulic Robotic Arm Edge Kit
The OWI Hydraulic Robotic Arm Edge Kit comes with everything you could need to build your own hydraulic robotic arm! The complete 1/10 scale kit features 6 axes of movement, including wrist rotation of 180 degrees, and the gripper opens to 1.89 inches. Use it to “vacuum” small objects or lift them with ease! The Hydraulic Robotic Arm Edge Kit is great for any STEM classroom, robotics club, science fair project, or weekend project.
4. SunFounder Robotics Kit for Arduino
Start your robot journey now with the SunFounder Dancing Sloth Kit. This programmable DIY Arduino development platform comes with everything you need to build your own 4-DOF (Degrees Of Freedom) Dancing Sloth robot. Simply follow the included tutorial to learn how to control your robot using Arduino! Once you know how you can use the provided sketches as a base for further product development! With this kit, you will learn about mechanics, energy conversion, cognitive science, and much more.
5. OWI-535 Robotic Arm Edge
The OWI-535 Edge Robotic Arm is an innovative and useful robot kit capable of moving objects. It has a camera and array microphone which can be used to capture images and record sounds for processing and has a design that mimics the human body’s action principles of flexure and rotation, making normal movements easy to perform. With this kit, it is possible to develop your own special device.
6. HEXBUG VEX Motorized Robotic Arm
HEXBUG VEX Motorized Arm remotely controls a 2 DOF Robotic Arm. The robotic Arm is powered by the HEXBUG VEX System and can be programmed to move in different directions such as forward, backward, right, and left using snap-together programming blocks. Kit includes all the pieces needed to construct a mechanical arm that will do nearly anything.
7. UBTECH: Jimu Builderbots Kit
Build, program, and play with the UBTECH JIMU App Enabled Stem Learning Robotic Building Block Kit (2017). This kit comes with predrilled pieces to be easily assembled in no time. It also allows users to build an instructional model of various robotic mechanisms so that you know what each part does when the robot is built. By using the app, you can design your own mechanical model then control it via Bluetooth or WiFi.
8. Adeept RaspTank WiFi Wireless Smart Robot Car Kit
The Adeept RaspTank WiFi Wireless Smart Robot Car Kit is designed based on Raspberry Pi 4 3 Model B+/B, Tank Tracked Robot with 4-DOF Robotic Arm, which can be used in all smart applications. Adept RaspTank WiFi Wireless Smart Robot Car Kit for Raspberry Pi 4 3 Model B+/B, Tank Tracked Robot with 4-DOF Robotic Arm, OpenCV Target Tracking, Video Transmission, Raspberry Pi Robot with PDF contains the followings.
9. Yahboom Robot Arm with Camera 6-DOF
The Yahboom Robot Arm with Camera 6-DOF for Jetson Nano is designed to assist in the inspection, assembly, welding, painting, and other activities that are not easy to perform with your hands. This robot arm moves forward and back, rotates left and right, lifts objects to 100g in weight at distances within 50 to 150mm from the base, takes pictures or videos by itself, creates 3D models by itself. It only needs the Jetson Nano board, power supply(customized), assembled PCB(if customized) and operators’ instructions to get started.
10. Heatile Hydraulic Robotic Arm Kit Learn Hydro Mechanics
The Heatile Hydraulic robotic arm is adjustable for different hand sizes and is the perfect solution for teens and adults who would like to learn the basics of hydraulics and robotics. Unlike any other robotic arm on the market today, this hand has two separate pistons, meaning it can reach over obstacles and turn its wrist independently. What’s more, built into the base of this robotic arm is a free app that connects wirelessly to your phone. Increase your knowledge of engineering and mechanics by moving each joint and seeing how it moves on your smartphone.