AUBO-i3 Collaborative Robot Arm

Product Overview

The AUBO-i3 is a compact six-axis collaborative robot (cobot) developed by AUBO Robotics for precision automation tasks in manufacturing, laboratories, research facilities, and educational environments. Designed with a 3 kg payload capacity and a maximum working radius of approximately 625 mm, the AUBO-i3 combines flexibility, precision, and safety in a lightweight robotic platform. It is suitable for applications requiring accurate positioning, repeatable motion, and close collaboration between humans and robots without the need for traditional industrial safety fencing under appropriate risk assessment.

Unlike conventional industrial robots that are typically isolated behind safety barriers, the AUBO-i3 is designed to operate collaboratively with human operators. Integrated torque sensing, collision detection, and intelligent motion control allow the robot to work safely alongside personnel while maintaining excellent motion accuracy and repeatability. These characteristics make it an ideal solution for flexible manufacturing, low-volume production, laboratory automation, quality inspection, and research projects.

Compact Design for Flexible Automation

Modern manufacturing environments increasingly require compact automation equipment capable of adapting to changing production requirements. The AUBO-i3 addresses these challenges with a lightweight mechanical structure and compact footprint that enables installation on workbenches, mobile platforms, laboratory stations, and automated production cells.

Its relatively small working radius allows it to perform tasks within confined spaces while maintaining a large operational workspace relative to its physical size. This makes the robot particularly suitable for electronics manufacturing, medical device production, precision assembly, and educational laboratories where installation space is often limited.

Six Degrees of Freedom

The robot features six independently controlled rotary joints, providing six degrees of freedom comparable to the movement of a human arm. This enables smooth and highly flexible motion paths for complex automation tasks involving multiple orientations and positions.

With six-axis kinematics, the AUBO-i3 can approach workpieces from virtually any direction, allowing engineers to optimize tool orientation for assembly, inspection, dispensing, polishing, machine tending, and component handling applications.

High Positioning Accuracy

Precision is one of the defining characteristics of collaborative robots used in modern automation. The AUBO-i3 delivers repeatability of approximately ±0.02 mm, enabling highly consistent positioning during repetitive production cycles.

High repeatability is especially important in industries such as electronics manufacturing, optical inspection, laboratory automation, semiconductor assembly, and precision component handling, where even small positioning deviations can affect product quality.

Human-Robot Collaboration

Collaborative robots are designed to improve workplace productivity by allowing humans and robots to share the same workspace safely. The AUBO-i3 incorporates advanced collision detection algorithms and joint torque monitoring to detect unexpected contact during operation.

When abnormal resistance or collision is detected, the control system can automatically slow down or stop robot motion to reduce the risk of injury or equipment damage. Combined with proper system integration and risk assessment, these features enable safer operation in collaborative work environments.

Easy Programming and Deployment

One of the major advantages of collaborative robots is simplified programming. The AUBO-i3 supports intuitive graphical programming as well as traditional robot programming methods, allowing users with different technical backgrounds to develop automation solutions quickly.

Engineers can create motion sequences using drag-and-drop interfaces, waypoint teaching, scripting, or offline programming software. Manual teaching allows operators to physically guide the robot arm to desired positions, significantly reducing programming time for repetitive applications.

The robot controller also supports communication with external PLCs, industrial PCs, machine vision systems, sensors, and automation equipment through standard industrial communication protocols.

Machine Vision Integration

The AUBO-i3 can be integrated with industrial cameras and machine vision systems to perform intelligent automation tasks requiring object recognition and position correction.

Typical vision-guided applications include:

• Random bin picking
• Component identification
• Barcode recognition
• Quality inspection
• Precision positioning
• Automated measurement

Machine vision significantly expands the robot's flexibility by allowing it to adapt to variations in part position and orientation.

Applications in Manufacturing

The AUBO-i3 is suitable for a broad range of industrial automation applications where flexibility, accuracy, and collaborative operation are important.

• Small component assembly
• Electronic device assembly
• PCB handling
• Screw driving
• Adhesive dispensing
• Laser marking
• Product testing
• Machine tending
• Packaging automation
• Label application

Manufacturers can deploy multiple collaborative robots within flexible production cells to increase productivity while maintaining the ability to rapidly switch between different product types.

Laboratory and Research Applications

Beyond industrial production, the AUBO-i3 is widely used in laboratory automation and scientific research. Universities, research institutes, and medical laboratories use collaborative robots to automate repetitive experimental procedures and improve data consistency.

Typical laboratory applications include automated sample handling, pipetting assistance, laboratory instrument loading, biological sample preparation, and repetitive testing procedures. The robot's compact size makes it particularly suitable for installation on laboratory benches where space is limited.

Educational Robotics

Educational institutions increasingly use collaborative robots to teach robotics, automation engineering, artificial intelligence, machine vision, and industrial control technologies.

The AUBO-i3 provides students with practical experience in robot programming, trajectory planning, sensor integration, end-effector design, and industrial communication. Its user-friendly software environment allows students to learn modern automation concepts while working with industrial-grade hardware.

End-Effector Compatibility

The robot supports a wide variety of end-of-arm tooling, allowing system integrators to customize the robot for different production requirements.

Compatible end effectors include:

• Vacuum grippers
• Electric grippers
• Pneumatic grippers
• Force sensors
• Screwdrivers
• Dispensing valves
• Welding torches
• Vision cameras
• Inspection probes

Changing tools enables the same robot platform to perform multiple manufacturing processes, improving equipment utilization and reducing capital investment.

Industrial Connectivity

Modern automation systems require seamless communication between robots and other production equipment. The AUBO-i3 controller supports integration with PLCs, HMIs, industrial Ethernet networks, machine vision systems, MES software, and production management platforms.

This enables manufacturers to implement smart factory solutions where robots exchange production information with upstream and downstream equipment in real time.

Energy Efficiency

Compared with larger industrial robots, the AUBO-i3 consumes relatively little electrical power while delivering excellent motion performance. Lower energy consumption contributes to reduced operating costs and supports sustainable manufacturing initiatives.

Efficient servo motors and optimized motion planning algorithms help minimize unnecessary energy usage during acceleration, deceleration, and idle operation.

Advantages of Collaborative Robots

• Compact installation footprint
• High positioning accuracy
• Excellent repeatability
• Safe human-robot collaboration
• Easy programming and deployment
• Flexible production line integration
• Supports machine vision systems
• Compatible with multiple end effectors
• Suitable for low-volume and high-mix production
• Reduced maintenance requirements

Typical Industries

The AUBO-i3 is widely applicable across numerous industries, including:

• Industrial automation
• Consumer electronics manufacturing
• Medical device production
• Laboratory automation
• Scientific research
• Semiconductor manufacturing
• Automotive component assembly
• Educational robotics
• Food and beverage packaging
• Precision instrument manufacturing

Why Choose the AUBO-i3?

The AUBO-i3 combines the precision of industrial robotics with the flexibility and safety of collaborative automation. Its compact dimensions, six-axis articulation, high repeatability, intelligent safety features, and simple programming environment make it an excellent solution for organizations seeking to automate repetitive tasks without sacrificing flexibility.

Whether deployed in production workshops, laboratories, educational institutions, or intelligent manufacturing facilities, the AUBO-i3 provides reliable robotic automation that improves productivity, enhances product quality, reduces labor intensity, and supports the transition toward smarter and more efficient manufacturing systems.