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Ask HN: reasonably priced robotic arms

11 points by boomzilla 13y ago

Does any know where I can buy a reasonably priced robotic arm? It should be be something I can connect to a Pi or a computer. My budget is up to 200USD. Thanks.

mrfusion 13y ago
How about this one? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufactory/uarm-put-a-miniature-industrial-robot-arm-on-your https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufactory/uarm-put-a-min...
- boomzilla 13y ago
  Thanks, this one looks great.
CyberFonic 13y ago
Here's one that costs less than $100 The arm: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8916 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8916 and the USB kit: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8917 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8917 The neat thing is that you can test things with the controller and then write code to replicate those steps.
bliti 13y ago
What do you plan to do with it? There are various options available. But I need to know what your intentions are. Without this data providing help is difficult.
- boomzilla 13y ago
  I recently became interested in hardware. I have some experience in machine learning and computer vision. I am planning to set up a robotic arm that connects to a webcam and that can perform simple task like picking up an object and move to a new location. It could then perform some more complicated task like solving the Hanoi tower problem, physically :). All in all, this is a weekend/hobby kind of project.
  - bliti 13y ago
    You need to figure out what types of objects the arm would be picking up. The heavier the object the more expensive the arm becomes. If you limit yourself to foam/light plastics then an arm with standard servos will work well. I would go with that, and if the need for more strength arises, you can then upgrade to high-torque (high $$$) servos. I've always had god luck with Lynxmotion (http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-866-al5a-robotic-arm-combo-kit-botboarduino.aspx http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-866-al5a-robotic-arm-combo-kit-b...). You can buy the parts separately and it will be a bit cheaper (find them on ebay for more savings).

11 points by boomzilla 13y ago

Does any know where I can buy a reasonably priced robotic arm? It should be be something I can connect to a Pi or a computer. My budget is up to 200USD. Thanks.

mrfusion 13y ago

How about this one? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufactory/uarm-put-a-miniature-industrial-robot-arm-on-your https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufactory/uarm-put-a-min...

boomzilla 13y ago
Thanks, this one looks great.

CyberFonic 13y ago

Here's one that costs less than $100 The arm: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8916 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8916 and the USB kit: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8917 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KJ8917 The neat thing is that you can test things with the controller and then write code to replicate those steps.

bliti 13y ago

What do you plan to do with it? There are various options available. But I need to know what your intentions are. Without this data providing help is difficult.

boomzilla 13y ago
I recently became interested in hardware. I have some experience in machine learning and computer vision. I am planning to set up a robotic arm that connects to a webcam and that can perform simple task like picking up an object and move to a new location. It could then perform some more complicated task like solving the Hanoi tower problem, physically :). All in all, this is a weekend/hobby kind of project.
- bliti 13y ago
  You need to figure out what types of objects the arm would be picking up. The heavier the object the more expensive the arm becomes. If you limit yourself to foam/light plastics then an arm with standard servos will work well. I would go with that, and if the need for more strength arises, you can then upgrade to high-torque (high $$$) servos. I've always had god luck with Lynxmotion (http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-866-al5a-robotic-arm-combo-kit-botboarduino.aspx http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-866-al5a-robotic-arm-combo-kit-b...). You can buy the parts separately and it will be a bit cheaper (find them on ebay for more savings).