The Panda collaborative robot arm is cost-effective and provides researchers with many distinct features including 7 degrees of freedom, 1KHz control, torque-sensing in all joints, access to multiple research apps and full ROS capability.

WATERLOO, Canada - July 31, 2019 - Franka Emika, a global leader in soft-robotics research, and Clearpath Robotics, a global leader in mobile robotic platforms, have partnered to bring their versatile and adaptive Panda robot to the Clearpath research mobile robot platforms. Panda will also be available as a standalone option on the Clearpath Store.

The Panda collaborative robot arm is cost-effective and provides researchers with many distinct features including 7 degrees of freedom, 1KHz control, torque-sensing in all joints, access to multiple research apps and full ROS capability.
"We are committed to creating novel robotics platform technologies and improving performance and accessibility for everyone to overcome one of the biggest challenges of modern society; relieving an entire generation of tedious, potentially dangerous, vastly time-consuming and monotonous labor," said Simon Haddadin, Franka Emika's CEO & Co-Founder.
Franka Emika has spent years establishing themselves as experts in soft-robotics research but has also transitioned to more ambitious projects such as AI-enabled robot platforms, a global partner network for technology transfer and finally a digital robotics platform that would help bridge the gap between the digital and physical world. Clearpath Robotics is a global leader in mobile robotics platforms for research. Clearpath mobile robots are fully customizable with easy integration options with different collaborative robots, Clearpath also provides different software suites including the Manipulator Teleoperation Package to enable remote control of manipulators and collaborative robots.
"Bringing together Franka Emika's Panda and our robot platforms will enable Clearpath to provide further unique and personalized solutions to our customers," said Julian Ware, General Manager of Clearpath Robotics. "The Panda has broad utility in robotics development and represents a terrific value to researchers. The 7 degrees of freedom and integrated force sensing make it ideal for HRI applications and mobile manipulation."
With the addition of the Panda to the Clearpath store, Clearpath Robotics is now able to sell the Panda robot globally to provide further application options. With its smaller control box allowing for easier integration and its support of ROS, Clearpath is able to leverage their own ROS expertise. With one of the largest ROS development teams in the world, Clearpath has industry-leading expertise in the design and development of ROS software and ROS powered robotic systems, providing custom software solutions.

About Franka Emika

Franka Emika has redefined robotics with the robotic system Panda Powertool, currently the fastest-selling industry-suited robot in the world. In pursuit of high-performance and accessibility, they have combined human-centered design with German engineering, giving rise to a masterpiece of technology. Highest mechatronic integration, exceptional soft-robot performance, as well as advanced and extendable functionalities unleashed unprecedented usability, best affordability, and unlimited scalability. For more information, visit www.franka.de.

About Clearpath Robotics

Clearpath Robotics is a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development and provides hardware, software, and services to enable self-driving vehicle development, deployment, and operation. Clearpath works with over 500 of the world's most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span industrial materials handling, mining, military, agriculture, aerospace, and academia. Clearpath is an award-winning company with recent awards, including Robotics Business Review Top 50 Company, Edison Award for Innovation, Business Insider Top 40 under 40, and Canada's Top 100 Employers. Visit Clearpath Robotics at www.clearpathrobotics.com.