What started out as a small venture in technology lead Shenzhen Yuejang Technology Co. Ltd towards becoming the full-fledged leading robotic arm solutions provider the Chinese-based company has become today. Run by a small team of 5 robotics engineers, the company’s mission is to
“Facilitate the development and upgrading of the industrial robotic arms solutions in China [by] continually developing… extensive applications in this arena.”
And they’re doing just that with the introduction of their latest robotic arm, the Dobot M1. What is essentially a fully functioning business assistant, the Dobot M1 is meant to bridge the disparity of production rates between small businesses and major businesses outfitted with advantageous factories of robotic arms.
At its core, the Dobot M1, which was funded and backed on Kickstarter by 352 different backers (and impressively earned $400,000 more than their goal of $100,000), is the first consumer-level, programmable, industrial-grade robotic arm meant for small business. And although it’s desktop-based, the Dobot M1 packs quite the punch.
Aside from offering industrial standards like accuracy and stability, the Dobot M1 is equipped with 7 different controls including mouse control, vision control, EEG control, mobile APP, Leap motion control, and gesture control. With interchangeable tool heads, the robotic arm is also prepared for tasks like soldering, sorting, engraving, cutting, 3D printing, and manufacturing.
Designed for small business workshops and warehouses, the Dobot M1 is meant to perform any small business function faster and more efficiently. For instance, to automate picking things up in an office, the Dobot M1 has a built-in gripper and suction cup that can perform the task. A different 3D printer tool head transforms the arm into additive manufacturing equipment, while its Pulse Width Modulated laser attachment engraves images, text, or photos in addition to shade engraving.
Computer vision extends Dobot M1’s use-cases to higher levels, and its integrated visual API can be easily adapted with OpenCV or the user’s own visual systems. Transferring parts, handling packing, and sorting is therefore made easier with the robot’s visual recognizing abilities, allowing the Dobot M1 to recognize, pick, rotate, and place without visual error.
The Dobot M1 also boasts dual-arm action and superior mobility. The newest version of the robotic arm allows users to connect more than one Dobot M1 at once, while the built-in mapping and path planning system expands Dobot M1’s reach to an entire floor level, allowing the robot to perform tasks like automatic inventory management or in-house service. Multiple Dobots can also be programmed to work together.
And as a completely programmable tech, Dobot is built on an open API and SDK. Translation: users can still use the official script writing environment if they’d prefer, but the option for total customization is open. Either way, communicating with the machine is tailored to every level of technology competency.
At just 20 inches tall, the Dobot’s arm has a reach of about 15.7 inches and a carry load of up to 3.3. Ibs. The Dobot receives instructions multiple ways, either through Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RS 232, and can be programmed or directly controlled through a mobile app or a Windows, Mac, or Linux-based computer.
And while the Dobot boasts lots of cool features and functionality, there is still a whole bunch of things to learn about the robotic arm at the company’s official Kickstarter page for those interested in the Dobot M1 beyond its general scope of work.
The company hopes to ship the Dobot M1 by May 2017. Whenever the tech does hit the market, it will be an endeavor worth watching, as it will have a lot to say about how small businesses work amidst the climate of larger businesses, and it will be interesting to note just how much the Dobot M1 will or won’t improve the nature of smaller business competition.
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