1. DYNAMIXEL Pro: A New Horizon for Full-scale Robots
ROBOTIS (www.robotis.com) is a renowned manufacturer of the DYNAMIXEL smart servo that has widely been used for robotics education and research for over a decade. The company recently released DYNAMIXEL Pro, a new line-up of products targeted for professional robot developers in the field/service robotics market.
2. Cycloidal Gear System, Powerful yet Affordable
Basic all-in-one modular concept of DYNAMIXEL has been inherited to the DYNAMIXEL Pro. It has successfully integrated the BLDC motor (up to 200W), controller, driver, encoder and gear system into its compact rectangular shape. The key innovation has been made to the cycloidal gear system, which guarantees minimum backlash as low as 3.5 arcmin and durable operation against bump and shock. In addition to feedback information like position and speed, DYNAIMXEL Pro has current-sensing feature that enables force control algorithm for service robots.
3. Modular Approach to Build Applications
Robot developers have spent tremendous amounts of time transforming their ideas and designs into reality. As the robot size grows, mechanical complexity increases and demand of efficient actuation system has been one of the top priorities. In addition, easy operation and maintenance was also a major bottle-neck to the numerous prototype robot designs.
ROBOTIS has taken the initiative to solve these problems using its modular design, and the result looks quite promising.
As soon as the DYNAMIXEL Pro was released, robot developers across continents already started to build various applications. Virginia Tech (USA) has built culinary robot CARL featured on the MasterChef Season 4, Ritsumeikan University (Japan) has added the detachable manipulator on wheel chair, University of Bonn (Germany) has started to build a space robot. WillowGarage is now working on integrating the DYNAMIXEL Pro to ROS.
4. THOR-OP: 6 months to build a 150cm Humanoid
In 2010, DARwIn-OP open source humanoid project made a successful debut and teams using DARwIn-OP have recorded consecutive winning parade in RoboCup and FIRA.
here. The company saw the next round of opportunities in the field/service robots that negotiate the real-world problems.
Last year ROBOTIS joined as a member of Team THOR in DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC), and this summer ROBOTIS unveiled the THOR-OP, a life-size humanoid (150cm) made by DYNAMIXEL Pro. It took just 6 months to build and make it walk.
By developing DYNAMIXEL Pro and participating in DRC, it is clear what ROBOTIS wants to prove.
H/W problem should be no longer an issue for developing robots.
