Stringman, an $800 open-source room scale gripper robot (neufangled.com)

Article summary

Stringman is an open-source, room-scale gripper robot that uses cables to move around and pick up objects, with a price tag of $795. It is designed to be used in a home lab setting, allowing users to automate tasks such as carrying parts from one workcell to another. The robot is powered from the wall and does not require charging downtime. It has a payload capacity of up to 2 kg and can be controlled locally or remotely through a web-based console.

Main themes

• robotics
• cable-driven architecture
• home automation
• open-source hardware
• affordability

What commenters say

• The use of cables in the robot's design is a clever solution, but may also pose safety risks if not properly secured.
• The robot's ability to perform tasks such as picking up clothes and toys makes it a potentially useful tool for household chores.
• Some commenters are skeptical about the robot's usefulness in a real-world setting, citing potential limitations such as cluttered rooms and fragile objects.
• Others see the potential for the robot to be scaled up or modified for more demanding tasks, such as industrial automation or search and rescue missions.
• The robot's open-source nature and affordability make it an attractive option for hobbyists and researchers, but may not be polished enough for consumer markets.
• The design of the robot is not suitable for all rooms, particularly those with low-hanging ceiling fans or other obstacles.
• Some commenters are concerned about the potential for the robot to be used in ways that could cause harm, such as strangulation or entanglement.
• The robot's ability to be controlled remotely raises questions about security and data privacy.