The new PixONE force-torque sensor on an industrial robot. | Source: Bota Systems
Bota Systems AG today released PixONE, a sensor that brings together high-performance electronics with a compact, lightweight design. Founded in 2020 as an ETH Zurch spin-off, the company specializes in multi-axis force-torque sensors.
Zurich-based Bota said it designed its latest sensors for “seamless integration into robotic systems.” PixONE features a through-hole architecture facilitating internal cable routing to enhance robot agility and safety, claimed the company.
The sensor’s hollow shaft design makes it easier for users to connect a robot’s arm and end-of-arm tooling (EOT or EOAT) while maintaining the integrity of internal cable routing, said Bota Systems. It added that this design can be particularly helpful because many robot arm manufacturers are moving toward internal routing to eliminate cable tangles and motion restrictions.
“Our objective is to equip robots with the sense of touch, making them not only safer and more user-friendly, but also more collaborative,” stated Klajd Lika, co-founder and CEO Bota Systems. “PixONE is an advanced, OEM-ready sensing solution that enables robot developers and integrators to effortlessly enhance any robot in development with minimal integration effort.”
PixONE minimalist design is lightweight
PixONE has a minimalistic two-piece design. Bota Systems said this simplifies the assembly and significantly reduces the sensor’s weight, making it 30% lighter than comparable sensors on the market. This is critical for dynamic systems such as fast-moving robots, where excess weight can impede performance and operational efficiency, it said.
Bota Systems offers PixONE in various models with an external diameter starting at 2.36 in. (60 mm) and a through-hole diameter of 0.59 in. (15 mm). The sensors include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and have a IP67 waterproof rating. The company said these features make it suitable for a wide range of operational environments.
“The PixONE offers a higher torque-to-force ratio than comparative sensors with integrated electronics, which gives integrators more freedom in EOT design, especially with larger tools,” said Ilias Patsiaouras, co-founder and chief technology officer of Bota Systems. “PixONE elevates the sensor integration by offering internal connection and cable passthrough, making it ideal for a wide spectrum of robotic applications, ranging from industrial to medical.”
The PixONE configurations can support payloads up to 551 lb. (250 kg). Bota said it maintained a uniform interface across all models to facilitate rapid integration.
The PixONE’s design also minimizes external connections and component count, enhancing system reliability, according to the company. PixONE uses EtherCAT technology for high-speed data communication and supports Power over Ethernet (PoE).
See Bota Systems at the Robotics Summit & Expo
Bota Systems is an official distribution and integration partner of Universal Robots and Mecademic. In October 2023, it added NEXT Robotics to its distributor network.
That same month, Bota Systems raised $2.5 million in seed funding. The company said it plans to use the funding to grow its team to address increasing demand by leading research labs and manufacturing companies. It also plans to accelerate its product roadmap.
To learn more about Bota Systems, visit the company at Booth 315 at the Robotics Summit & Expo, which will be on May 1 and 2 in Boston.
“Our vision is to equip robots with the sense of touch, making them not only safer and more user-friendly, but also more collaborative,” Klajd Lika, co-founder and CEO of Bota Systems, told The Robot Report. “We look forward to the Robotics Summit & Expo because it brings together the visionaries and brightest minds of the industry — this interaction is valuable for us to shape the development of our next generation of innovative sensors.”
This will be the largest Robotics Summit ever. It will include more than 200 exhibitors, various networking opportunities, a women in robotics breakfast, a career fair, an engineering theater, a startup showcase, and more. Registration is now open for the event.
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