Baxter is an industrial robot produced by Rethink
Robotics of Boston, Massachusetts. It contains cameras, sensors, and software that allow
nontechnical people to operate it with ease. Baxter is a so-called "intelligent robot" that
exhibits a remarkable degree of common sense, and can expand and refine its capabilities as time
passes.
Baxter's features include:
Ease of deployment: Can usually be up and running within an hour.
Proximity sensing: When
a person enters the room, Baxter gives visual feedback and automatically slows down.
Learns easily: No teach box is
needed. Nontechnical users can physically guide Baxter through the motions that they want it to
perform.
Versatility: Can perform a wide range of simple tasks.
No programming required: No need to hire third-party application
developers.
Adaptability: Can adapt automatically to changes in the work environment.
Safety: Users do not need to deploy protective cages.
Extensibility: Users can
add capabilities with a wide choice of software updates, or even create custom tasks.
Interchangeable end
effectors: Choice of tools that can be easily swapped at the end of either arm.
Mobility: Can be mounted on a rolling pedestal for ease of movement.
Modest size: Comes in a crate no larger than a standard electric range, and can easily pass
through standard doorways.
Baxter, which became available in October 2012, costs $22,000, considerably less expensive than
traditional industrial robots, and has an "approachable" look including a GUI (graphical user interface)
and a screen that displays a pair of expressive eyes. Rethink Robotics may provide a software
developer's kit (SDK) in
2013 if users express enough interest.