Spherical robots, named for their sphere-shaped workspace, were among the early designs in robotics. They were valued for their compact and flexible design.
They can use a robotic arm and rotary joints to rotate, elevate, and extend like a wizard wielding a wand. Or they can look similar to a ball that’s full of robotic parts and may be used to explore Mars.
Read on to learn more about:
- What spherical robots are and how they work
- Their features, benefits, and challenges
- How they stack up against other robotic designs
- Applications in industries you wouldn’t expect
- How to program and control one
- Choosing the right one for your needs
What is a spherical robot?
A spherical robot is a robot designed to move in a spherical coordinate system or space but can vary widely in appearance and function.
The term also refers to polar robots, which are robotic arms with two rotational joints. These robots have a limited range of motion but offer precision and flexibility.
They use rotational joints to rotate around a central axis and adjust their position up, down, and outward. This design makes them ideal for tasks that require controlled, multi-directional movements.
The robot’s design is compact, with a stationary base and movable arms that can rotate and extend. This allows it to work efficiently in tight spaces, like in manufacturing or inspection tasks. While it’s not built for heavy lifting, it is well-suited for intricate, repetitive jobs that need precision and agility.
While these robots have been around since the 1950s and still in use, they’ve been largely parsed out in favor of SCARA robots or articulated arms.
Want to know about all the types of industrial robots? Read the full article.
How does a spherical robot work?
The real secret sauce behind spherical robots is in their unique mechanics and ultra-precise movements.
What makes them tick?
- Rotational freedom: These robots rely on spherical motion, which means they can spin and rotate in any direction.
- Software with brains: Control algorithms process real-time data to guide the robot’s movements, and in advanced models, AI enhances adaptability and precision.
- Intelligent sensors: Advanced sensors keep them aware of their surroundings so they don’t bump into walls or mess up delicate stuff.
Curious about all the types of robot movement? We wrote about 8 types of robot motion.
Key features of spherical robots
So, ready to find out what makes these bots roll-ready?
Let’s take a look at the basics:
- 360-degree motion: Rotational joints let them move like no other, navigating tight corners and tricky angles.
- Sleek, compact design: Their spherical workspace makes them suitable for environments with limited space.
- High flexibility: They adapt to a lot of jobs, from delicate operations to heavy-duty applications, proving they’re more than just a pretty orb.
Applications of spherical robots in different industries
Where are these rolling wonders making their mark? It turns out, they’re already in use in more industries than you think.
Let’s take a closer look at industries keeping their eye on the ball:
- Manufacturing: Think of these bots assembling complex products or welding components with the precision of a Twitch pro gamer.
- Healthcare: By helping out in surgeries or helping with physical rehab, they bring accuracy and reliability to medical advancements. Their role is less direct, but they also help out in non-invasive procedures. (No Da Vinci magic here.)
- Research: They’re the proven stars of robotics experimentation, helping scientists test new algorithms and push the limits of what’s possible.
Spherical robot arm vs. other robotic arms
How does a spherical robot arm stack up against other robotic designs like articulated, Cartesian, or SCARA robots?
Here’s how they compare:
- Flexibility: Spherical robots are fantastic in multidirectional tasks, while Cartesian and SCARA arms stick to linear and planar motions. Of course, articulated robots can also move multi-directionally, but not as much as a sphere. The XK-III is a prime example.
- Compactness: Their compact design makes them suitable for certain tight spaces, though other robot types like SCARA are also optimized for such environments. For example, here’s a small spherical bot designed for teleoperation.
- Precision also counts: Spherical arms shine in jobs needing rotational accuracy but can struggle in tasks requiring extended reach unless the right controller is used.
Common challenges with spherical robots
Before you rush to crown these bots as the kings of automation, let’s take a reality check.
What’s holding them back?
- A limited range of motion: Their spherical design can sometimes restrict them from performing jobs that need a bit of extended reach or straight-line motion. (Yes, they sometimes move like your uncle after Thanksgiving dinner).
- Brain-teasing controls: Programming spherical robots is no walk in the park — control algorithms need to be highly complex for precise tasks.
- Trouble on uneven terrain: Rolling bots and bumpy surfaces? Not the best mix unless they’re specifically built to handle those challenges.
These challenges don’t make them less impressive — they just mean they’re perfect for specific jobs rather than perfect for every type of job.
Benefits of using a spherical robot
So, why go round in your automation game?
Turns out, there are quite a few reasons:
- Squeezing into tight spaces: Their compact design lets them work in areas where other robots can’t squeeze in.
- Simpler hardware: With fewer moving parts, they’re easier to maintain and less prone to mechanical failures.
- Cost-effective — for niche jobs: While not the cheapest robots overall, their efficiency in specific applications makes them worth every penny. However, that initial cost may be higher in more complex applications.
How to program and control a spherical robot
Getting these bots to do their thing requires skill, but it’s not rocket science — unless you’re NASA.
How do you teach a sphere to work for you?
- User-friendly software: Tools like ROS (Robot Operating System) make it easier to program and test spherical robots, even for beginners.
- Simulate first, deploy later: Virtual environments let you perfect their movements before letting them loose in the real world.
- Adaptive learning: AI enables these robots to learn and optimize on the go, which cuts down the need for constant reprogramming.
Choosing the right spherical robot for your needs
Not all spheres are the same! Picking the perfect spherical robot depends on what you need.
Here’s what to think about:
- How much can it lift? Make sure it can handle the weight of your tasks — no one likes a robot that wobbles under pressure.
- What about precision? If your job requires high levels of accuracy (and what job doesn’t?), prioritize models with advanced sensors and control systems.
- How about compatibility? Make sure it plays well with your existing equipment and workflows — or you may have to shell out extra cash just to get your robot to work.
Summing up
Spherical robots are more than just rolling curiosities — they’re practical, efficient, and a testament to how robotics keeps evolving.
These ball-shaped babies are making their mark across industries, proving that sometimes, thinking inside the sphere is the smartest move.
Next steps with Standard Bots’ solutions
Need an automation solution, but you just can’t roll with a spherical bot? Standard Bots’ RO1 offers a cutting-edge six-axis cobot tailored to your needs.
- Affordable and adaptable: Get top-tier robotics at half the purchase price of comparable models — or lease for as little as $5/hour.
- Built for precision: With ±0.025 mm repeatability and an 18 kg payload, RO1 tackles demanding tasks like welding, assembly, and material handling.
- AI on another level: Equipped with intelligence rivaling GPT-4 and a no-code setup, it’s perfect for businesses without a robotics background.
- Safety-first design: Machine vision and collision detection let RO1 work alongside humans without barriers or worries.
Schedule your risk-free, 30-day onsite trial today, and see how RO1 brings smart, intelligent automation to your business.
