ROBOTICS CLUSTER

6.6.2. Research Robotics
A number of robotics technology suppliers develop robot hardware and software systems specifically to
sell to universities and private groups as research platforms. The deliverables are typically “open” both with
regard to their ability to be physically accessed, as well as supporting open source software libraries such as
OpenCV and Robot Operating System (ROS) (see Robot Operating System, below). Often, the provider companies
also produce commercially hardened versions of the same systems. Companies offering research
robot platforms include Aldebaran Robotics, Festo, CoroWare, Barrett Technology, ABB, Rethink Robotics,
Universal Robots, ROBOTIS, and many others.
The suppliers of research robots
receive feedback from investigators
using their products, which helps
them maintain their innovation edge.
The market for research robots is relatively small, and for many companies it is only a minor, supplementary
revenue stream. Research programs are often publicly funded, which implies long, nonrecurring sales cycles
subject to the vagaries of grant writing and political trends. Still, feedback from ongoing research allows provider
companies to remain at the forefront of innovation, which is extremely critical.
Table 9: Representative Massachusetts Education and Research Robotics Companies
Educational Robotics
Research Robotics
Solution
Company
KinderLab Robotics, Gears Educational Systems,
Robotix USA
Aldebaran Robotics, Rethink Robotics, Universal Robots, Barrett Technology,
RightHand Robotics
(Source: ABI Research)
www.abiresearch.com
THE MASSACHUSETTS ROBOTICS CLUSTER
42