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How does a robot gripper or other end effector help it complete a task?
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robot
ASIMO, a two-legged humanoid robot developed by the Honda Motor Co.
An end effector is a specialized device mounted at the end of a robotic arm that allows the robot to interact with or manipulate its environment. While the robot's arm-and-body section is responsible for positioning, the end effector is the component that directly executes the intended task.12
These devices generally serve two primary functions:
- Grasping: A gripper is used to hold, move, or position work parts within the robot's workspace.2
- Processing: An end effector can also be a tool, such as a spot-welding gun, which allows the robot to perform specific manufacturing or assembly processes at a designated location.2
By attaching the appropriate end effector to the robot's wrist, the system gains the versatility to perform a wide variety of tasks, as the wrist provides the necessary orientation while the end effector performs the actual work.2