RB-Y1: Korea's First-Ever Bimanual Mobile Manipulator Unveiled

Rainbow Robotics, a prominent player in the robotics industry, has unveiled RB-Y1, Korea's inaugural bimanual mobile manipulator.

This latest innovation from Rainbow Robotics represents a significant advancement in robotic technology, marking Korea's entry into the realm of bimanual mobile manipulation.

RB-Y1: Korea's First Bimanual Mobile Manipulator

RB-Y1 is a humanoid-type dual-arm robot mounted on a wheel-type high-speed mobile base. Engineered to operate in diverse environments, RB-Y1 features 7 degrees of freedom in each arm, accompanied by a single leg with 6 degrees of freedom.

This configuration enables RB-Y1 to execute a wide array of tasks with natural dexterity and precision. Notably, RB-Y1 boasts vertical movement capabilities exceeding 50 cm, facilitating task execution at varying heights and elevations.

Operating at a remarkable speed of 2.5 meters per second, RB-Y1 can execute high-speed turns and sudden accelerations with agility and efficiency. Leveraging a sophisticated 20-axis full-body control system, RB-Y1 ensures precise and dynamic maneuverability, according to the company.

Furthermore, the integration of a single leg with 6 degrees of freedom enables RB-Y1 to maintain optimal stability and control of its center of gravity during operation.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

RB-Y1's development draws upon core components utilized in cooperative robots and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Despite its complexity, Rainbow Robotics notes that RB-Y1 simplifies motion generation through innovative teaching mechanisms, allowing users to transfer skills and movements between robots seamlessly.

Furthermore, Rainbow Robotics claims that RB-Y1 possesses the reliability and performance standards characteristic of industrial robots, owing to its development with core components utilized in cooperative robots and AMR. With 22 axes excluding wheels, generating motion for this robot proves to be complex.

Nonetheless, teaching the robot (slave) is achievable by linking the data arm (master) for training purposes. It features a self-collision prevention function, which allows users to teach it by configuring the self-collision area of both arms.

"In Line with the AI Era"

In line with the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Rainbow Robotics has established a simulation environment for learning and AI utilization.

This strategic initiative aligns RB-Y1 with the current trends in Generative AI, underscoring Rainbow Robotics' commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address industry challenges and propel innovation forward.

"These days, when Generative AI such as ChatGPT and Figure is a hot topic in the robot industry, we have developed a bimanual mobile manipulator in line with the AI era," an official from Rainbow Robotics said in a press release statement.

"We hope that the platform will overcome the limitations of existing industrial robots and be used in many industrial sites."