Miniature six-axis force-torque sensor elevates robotics performance

Bota Systems has released its smallest sensor yet, the MiniONE. Created to improve micro-robotic systems with haptic feedback, the MiniONE is a six-axis sensor that is straightforward to install between a robot arm and nearly any end-of-arm tooling.

The sensor delivers an ultra-low-noise signal with high sensitivity and exceptional drift performance. It is a 'plug and play' design with temperature sensors and built-in filters, making it straightforward to program and set up.

With a diameter of only 30mm and a depth of 22.2mm, the sensor needs no external hardware. This sets it apart from competitor products that require adapters or interface boxes, making it easier to use. By fully integrating the device's electronics in its shielded housing, wiring, weight, complexity, and measurement uncertainty are all decreased.

Moreover, the sensor is dust and water-resistant to IP67 and incorporates a USB communications interface. It is provided with the company's software packages for ROS, Labview, Matlab, TwinCAT and Python to save development time.

"We listened to our customers' feedback and developed a tiny sensor compared to existing alternatives that were too bulky," said Klajd Lika, CEO and co-founder at Bota Systems. "By giving robots the sense of touch, our sensors enable them to move as naturally and freely as people."

"Our Meca500 is the most precise and compact six-axis robot on the market, and the MiniONE offers the matching sensitivity in a tiny package," said Stan Gleizer, director of Applications at Mecademic Robotics. "Integrating the MiniONE with Meca500 is simple and fast, making it easy to add force control to robotics applications."

The six-axis force-torque sensor is compatible with a broad range of robot brands, including Mecademic Robotics, Nachi Robotic Systems, Rokae and Yaskawa, and gripper and hands from Robotiq, Shadow Robot and Schunk.

With a tiny footprint and weighing only 30g, the sensor is excellent for medical applications, product testing, and precision tasks like micro-assembly and micro-polishing. It is also ideal as a fingertip sensor in hands and grippers, as in humanoid robots.

IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, booth I19, 29 May - 2 June 2023, London, UK.