Original Bota Systems 6-Axis Force Torque Sensor -
Ultra-Lightweight & Integrated
Bota Systems, a spin-off from the Robotic Systems Lab at ETH
Zurich, is a pioneer in highly integrated force-sensing solutions
for the next generation of collaborative robots and advanced
research platforms. Their 6-axis Force/Torque (F/T) sensors break
the limitations of traditional systems by embedding all necessary
electronics—including amplifiers and data acquisition—directly into
the compact sensor housing. This eliminates the need for bulky
external interface boxes. By integrating a 6-axis F/T sensor with a
6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), Bota Systems provides a
full 12-degree-of-freedom (DoF) perception in a package weighing
just over 100 grams. It is the gold standard for surgical robotics,
humanoid wrists, and legged robot balance control.
Product Highlights
- Fully Integrated Electronics: Amplifiers, data acquisition, and communication circuits are all
built-in, enabling true single-cable "Plug & Play" functionality
without external hardware.
- Ultra-Lightweight Design: Models like the Rokubi weigh as little as 120g, significantly reducing the payload at the
robot's end-of-arm and improving dynamic response.
- 12 Degrees of Freedom (12 DoF): Beyond 6-axis force/torque, the built-in high-precision IMU
provides synchronized acceleration and angular velocity data.
- Ultra-High Refresh Rate: Supports sampling frequencies up to 1000 Hz (EtherCAT) or 800 Hz
(USB/Serial), meeting the demands of high-performance closed-loop
force control.
- Extreme Compactness: The flat, low-profile design is ideal for integration into
dexterous hands, exoskeletons, and space-constrained joints of
micro-robots.
- Extensive Open-Source Support: Features deeply integrated ROS/ROS2 drivers and Python libraries,
making it the top choice for academia and high-tech startups.
Core Parameter Table (Key Series)
| Model | Size / Weight | Force Range (Fx, Fy, Fz) | Torque Range (Tx, Ty, Tz) | Communication | Typical Application |
|---|
| SensONE | 70mm / 225g | ±500 N | ±15 Nm | EtherCAT / USB | UR, Yaskawa Cobots |
| Rokubi | 40mm / 120g | ±700 N | ±7 Nm | EtherCAT / Serial | Dexterous Hands, Exoskeletons |
| Medusa | 40mm / 170g | ±280 N | ±2.8 Nm | EtherCAT / CAN | Precision Surgical Robots |
| LaxONE | 24mm / 45g | ±100 N | ±1 Nm | Serial | Micro-Robots, Fingertips |
Application Fields
- Medical Surgical Robotics: Providing ultra-precise force feedback to assist surgeons in
delicate, minimally invasive procedures.
- Advanced Collaborative Robots (Cobots): Enabling collision detection, constant-force polishing, and
hand-guiding for arms like UR and Mecademic.
- Legged & Humanoid Robotics: Mounted on feet or wrists to assist in balance control and terrain
sensing via the built-in IMU.
- Micro-Manipulation & Assembly: Achieving precise alignment, insertion, and quality inspection in
extremely confined spaces.
- Haptic Research & Bionics: High-frequency data acquisition for studying robotic perception of
different material surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Bota Systems not require an external interface box?
A: We use advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) technology to compress all
signal conditioning and processing circuits directly into the
mechanical structure of the sensor.
Q: What is the benefit of the built-in IMU?
A: The IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope) monitors the sensor's motion
in real-time. This allows force-control algorithms to compensate
for inertial forces and gravity during movement, providing the
"true" contact force.
Q: Which robot brands does the SensONE support?
A: The SensONE is optimized for Universal Robots (UR) with a
dedicated URCaps plugin, but it also natively supports protocols
for Yaskawa, KUKA, ABB, and more.
Q: Is the sensor crash-resistant? What is the overload protection?
A: All sensors feature high overload protection (typically
300%-500% of rated capacity). Precision will not be affected by
minor emergency stop collisions within these limits.
Q: How is the sensor calibrated?
A: Every sensor is precision-calibrated at our Swiss factory. Users
can read decoupled physical units (N and Nm) directly via the
software interface.
Q: What is the typical lead time?
A: Common models (SensONE, Rokubi) typically ship in 2-4 weeks.
Specialized interfaces or high-sensitivity versions may take 6-8
weeks.
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