Wendy Cahya Kurniawan
National Taipei University of Technology
Aug 15, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
I use Kinova for research about Human robot collaboration.
Pro
kinova jaco2 integrated with many internal sensors, easy to communicate with PC, because the product is light it can easy to set up and replace.
Con
the speed limitation
Owen Kent
Assistive Technology Development
Jul 21, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
Excellent product for assistive technology
Pro
As a developer and end-user, I love everything about this product. It simple, easy to use yet very effective. The customer support is also fantastic. Can't recommend enough.
Con
The fingers are fragile prone to breakage, but easy to replace.
Sanzhar Kusdavletov
Nazarbayev University
Jun 30, 2022
Period
- 2021
Title
Good robot manipulator for human-robot interaction research
Pro
In my work, I used Kinova Gen3 cobot for research in the area of physical human-robot interaction. Me and my colleagues implemented motion planning algorithms of a Kinova Gen3 torque-controlled 7 degrees of freedom manipulator for avoidance of a human operator.
Gen3 cobot can be easily integrated with other technologies using the Kinova Kortex API software. For example, in our case, controllers of the Gen3 cobot were implemented on a desktop computer, running Robot Operating System (ROS). The nonlinear model predictive controllers for Kinova Gen3 cobot, obtained via C-language code, were implemented as separate C++ nodes in ROS. Joint velocity commands were sent from the computer to the internal motion control system of the Kinova Gen3 cobot via ROS-Kortex driver. The current joint positions and velocities of the cobot were read via the ROS-Kortex interface. Also motion of the Gen3 robot was simulated in Gazebo environment.
The Gen3 cobot is a good choice to test advanced control algorithms (e.g. nonlinear model predictive control) as well as AI-based strategies for a wide range of industrial applications.
Con
Sometimes after about 30 min of robot work, it’s motion started getting jerky. It will also be nice if manufacturers would also add more details regarding dynamical model of gen3 in the tech documentation.
Sri Harsha Turlapati
NTU Singapore
Jun 12, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
Easy to setup cobot for haptic tasks
Pro
Portable and quick to setup and use. Love the integrated controller (without a bulky controller box). API very accessible and great support
Con
It is unclear how the gearbox and the torque sensor are placed inside - this is important to know for haptic applications.
Sreekanth Kana
NTU
Jun 8, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
An affordable cobot which allows low-level controlling
Pro
1. Light-weight, easy to transport and setup
2. The robot has inbuilt joint torque sensors
3. Access into low-level control modes such as velocity, torque and current control modes
4. Inbuilt RGB camera and 3D vision sensor
5.compatible with Robotiq gripper.
6. No separate controller box,instead the controller is embedded in the base of the robot itself.
7. Can be interfaces with multiple programming platforms such as python, C++, MATLAB
8. Cartesian and joint impedance modes can be activated using buttons provided on the end-effector.
9. The robot goes into error/stop mode when excess application of torque is detected.
Con
1. Design of the emergency stop button makes it difficult to mount.
2.To perform low-level control (ie for velocity, torque or current control), C++ or python should be used. MATLAB only supports only position control (at the time of posting this review)
3. Difficult to manually move the robot even under gravity compensation mode due to poor backdriveability/
4. When emergency stop button is pressed, the robot does not hold itself. However, some internal braking is there to slow the falling down.
5. The clamp used to mount the robot base is not very comfortable to use and can be broker if excess force is used.
6. Low-payload
Juhi Gurnani
NTU
Jun 7, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
Compact, lightweight robot arm with torque sensing in every joint good for several low payload applications
Pro
The best feature is that its control box is embedded in the robot arm itself which makes it convenient to move around. Despite this, the arm weighs around 8kg - very lightweight just as claimed. Can be used for various industrial applications that do not require high payloads such as lightweight assembly tasks, peg insertion type of tasks and also teleoperation.
Con
Pressing on the emergency stop button doesn't lock the arm in place. Instead, it just drops down. Joint torque sensors are delicate. Exerting excessive force can damage them easily.
Antonello Scaldaferri
University of Pisa
May 29, 2022
Period
- 2021
Title
Excellent robotic arm for real world applications. Light and compact.
Pro
The arm is light and compact.
The controller is embedded in the base of the arm.
It can be easily mounted on other robots, like mobile robots (wheeled or legged).
It can be easily controlled via an X-Box joystick.
Con
The payload is very low.
It cannot be used for industrial applications.
Alap Kshirsagar
Cornell University
May 26, 2022
Period
- 2021
Title
Good robot for human-robot collaboration research
Pro
This robot is lightweight, portable and easy to setup. The ROS package is well documented. Kinova has great customer support!
Con
Slow speed as compared to some other collaborative robots, ROS package doesn't have torque control capability
Minh Nguyen
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
Apr 19, 2022
Period
- 2021
- 2020
Title
A capable robot platform for academic use
Pro
- Very capable and reliable robot arm: 7 DOF, torque control interface with joint torque sensors
- Easy to use:
+ simple startup, basically with just a single button
+ out-of-the box functionalities are user-friendly: compliant demonstration and intuitive web interface
+ good C++ and Python documentation, including ROS and MoveIt! integration
Con
Somewhat slow response to queries regarding the API implementation.
Mohamed Shawky Sabae
Cairo University
Apr 17, 2022
Period
- 2021
Title
Great for research and academic use
Pro
Easy to setup and deal with. Documentation is clear and there is plenty of support. The product is compatible with almost all APIs and simulators I tried. Easy to install custom sensors and end effectors. As a Machine Learning / Robotics researcher, I found its compatibility range very useful.
Con
For some types of movements and simulations, a more complex implementation might be needed, which requires a more experienced programmer especially in C++.
Ahmed KHELIFI
UQTR
Apr 15, 2022
Period
- 2022
Title
Perfect for our academic use
Pro
Compatibility with many softwares specially Matlab there is a detected toolbox for it.
The ability to control it directly with ROS or with the Python API.
Gazebo and MoveIt simulation environments.
Very easy to use .
Integrated 3d camera.
The fact that the end effector can be custom-designed.
Con
For low-level control, you need certain programming skills (C++, python) and more advanced ROS knowledge according to your application.
It does not come with pre-installed gripper as the gripper is made by another company ,but you can order the robot arm with a gripper for an extra cost.
Bijan Shahriari
N/A
May 6, 2021
Period
Title
Versatile and easy to use robotic arm
Pro
The product is incredibly easy to use. Simply plug and play. You can control the device using the remote, or you can also control it with a laptop using the Kinova GUI or coding with C++.
You can also control the robot using ROS.
Con
No finger sensors, so it can happen to squeeze things too hard.