Franka Robotics Expands Ecosystem with Diana 7 Integration Enhancing Research Flexibility

Franka Robotics Enhances Its Robot Ecosystem with Diana 7 Integration

Franka Robotics, a pioneering force in research-driven robotics based in Munich, has proudly announced the integration of the Diana 7 robot from Agile Robots into its extensive robot ecosystem. This significant advancement allows Diana 7 to fully support the Franka Control Interface (FCI), facilitating a wide array of applications geared towards research and academia.

Unlocking New Possibilities with Diana 7

The integration of Diana 7 marks a substantial enhancement in functionality, expanding the capabilities of Franka Robotics' portfolio. Notably, Diana 7 is designed with a greater reach and increased payload capacity compared to its predecessors, allowing for previously unachievable applications in various fields, including robotics research and automation industries.

Diana 7 showcases seven axes of movement, providing a high degree of precision in its operations. It features user-friendly software, which means that advanced programming skills are not required to operate it effectively. The FCI facilitates direct communication with the robot’s control algorithms, enabling users to send real-time commands at a frequency of 1 kHz. This capacity allows for precise control over the robot's position, velocity, and torque in joint space, as well as in cartesian space, thus providing an intuitive operational framework.

Advantages of the Franka Control Interface (FCI)

The FCI serves as a critical tool for researchers and developers, significantly broadening the scope for innovative work in robotics. By reducing the need for abstract software layers or filters, FCI offers a streamlined pathway for direct access to a robot's capabilities. This promotes a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the robot’s functionality to their specific research needs. Additionally, the interface collects data for meticulous documentation, facilitating improved traceability and easier insights into the robot's control systems, which can be leveraged for optimization and analysis.

Research areas benefiting from the capabilities of FCI include force control, motion planning, grasping strategies, human-robot interaction, machine learning, and large-scale robotic model training. With its state-of-the-art technology, Diana 7 is well-positioned to be at the forefront of advancements in these research domains.

Expanding Access for the Robotics Community

Franka Robotics is committed to fostering an inclusive community of robotics and AI professionals. With the addition of Diana 7 to its ecosystem, the company is enabling more researchers to explore and contribute to cutting-edge developments in the field. The integration supports various platforms, including ROS, ROS 2, MATLAB, and Simulink, thereby enhancing collaboration within the global robotics community.

About Franka Robotics and Agile Robots

Franka Robotics was founded in 2016 as a research-driven robotics company aiming to empower robotics and AI professionals in shaping an era of innovation. As a part of Agile Robots SE since 2023, it continues to drive developments in the automation sector. Agile Robots SE, founded in Munich, focuses on next-generation automation solutions, merging AI with robotics to enhance industry efficiency.

In summary, Franka Robotics’ integration of Diana 7 into its ecosystem is a landmark development that enhances the potential for research and innovation in robotics. By bridging advanced technology with accessible interfaces, it opens new doors for the robotics community and strengthens the collaboration between academic and industrial sectors in the evolving landscape of automation.