Waveshare has recently launched the RoArm-M2-S and RoArm-M2-Pro ESP32 robotic arms with four degrees of freedom, or 4-DOF for short. The main difference is that the RoArm-M2-S is equipped with standard servos, while the RoArm-M2-Pro features all-metal ST3235 bus servos, adding more durability and performance.
Designed for educational and robotics applications, the 4-DOF RoArm-M2 is sturdy yet lightweight, built using carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. It can handle payloads up to 0.5kg and has a workspace diameter of 1 meter. The arm offers high precision with a 12-bit magnetic encoder and dual-drive technology for improved torque and stability. On top of that, it features a 12-bit magnetic encoder and dual-drive technology for improved torque and stability. Other features include a 360° omnidirectional base and support for both wireless (WiFi, ESP-NOW) and wired (USB) control. These features make this device suitable for various applications including industrial automation, education, research, and DIY robotics projects.
The company mentions that its default End-of-Arm Tool (EoAT) clamp can be customized to add a degree of freedom for more complex tasks. For manual operation, the arm includes a web-based control interface, while host operation is supported via various communication modes such as UART, USB, ESP-NOW, and HTTP, using JSON data format commands (note that ESP-NOW does not support feedback information retrieval). The arm is compatible with hosts featuring a spare USB port including Raspberry Pi, Jetson Orin Nano, and PCs. Additionally, it uses a TTL serial bus servo with direct-drive joints, ensuring smooth and precise motion control.