Whole-Arm Manipulation System

Barrett Technology, Inc.

Cambridge, MA

The WAM(TM) Arm (Barrett Arms) is a highly dexterous back drivable manipulator. The only arm sold in the world with direct-drive capability supported by transparent dynamics(TM) between the motors and joints, so its joint-torque control is unmatched.

Whole-arm Manipulation System (WAM)

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• The WAM light weight and human-like joint back drivability provides a safe alternative for astronauts in the vicinity of EVA and IVA flight hardware.
• The integrated arm/wrist/ hand system has many other commercial and governmental applications. These include use in hazardous environment such as toxic waste cleanup, nuclear power plant maintenance, high-voltage, computer assisted surgery, or explosives disposal.

• The firm has been able to sell a multitude of the Barrett Hands and Barrett Arms as a results of the products they have developed for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• The firms has also filed and received numerous patents because of the work they have done with NASA, National Science Foundation (NSF), and the United States Air Force.The firms credits these groups for helping make available the first commercially available cable-driven robots.
• The Guinness 2000 Book of World Records: Millennium Edition lists Barrett Technology's WAM(TM) arm as the most advanced robotic arm in the world.
• The Barrett Hand BH8-series grasper was showcased on the recent cover of Machine Design Magazine (February 2001) http://www.machinedesign.com for its unmatched versatility, programmability, and ease of integration with commercial robotic arms.
• The firm will reported net income of about $100,000 on revenue of about $1 million in 1998, up from $450,000 in sales for 1997
• The firm shipped a Barrett-Arm (WAM) to Z-KAR, Inc. located in Miami, Florida on December 31, 1998. Z-KAT will use the WAM Arm in the computer-assisted surgical field.
• On January 22, 2002 WAM users around the world now have their very own place on the Internet to share stories, ideas, and applications regarding Barrett's Whole Arm Manipulator. The forum can be found at: http://www.wamrobot.org and allows users and developers of WAM technology to find and interact with each other in cyberspace!
  

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