Image/s credit: Inovo Robotics.

Inovo Robotics Modular Arm Cobot

company logo for Inovo Robotics Inovo Robotics

Country: United Kingdom

Year: 2020

Summary

A reconfigurable collaborative robot arm that lets users change its reach & payload by swapping modular link sections, making it particularly flexible for changing automation tasks

Status: Commercially available

Operation: Collaborative

Robot Type / Domain: Multi/General-Purpose, Industrial

Tasks: Material Handling, Machine Tending, Palletizing, Assembly, Dispensing, Measuring & Inspection, Packaging

Technical Specifications

Reach: 690 to 1340 mm

Reach: 27.165 to 52.756 in

Payload: 3 to 10 kg

Payload: 6.614 to 22.046 lbs

Max. Payload: 10 kg

Max. Payload: 22.046 lbs

Pose Repeatability: ± 0.25 mm

Pose Repeatability: ± 0.010 in

Weight: 24 kg

Weight: 52.911 lbs

Battery Operated? No, Tethered

Arm Type: Articulated, Collaborative, Modular

Number of Axes: 6 DoF

IP Rating: IP54

Mounting: Floor, Ceiling, Wall

Footprint: 178 mm × 178 mm (length × width)

Footprint: 7.008 in × 7.008 in (length × width)

Operating Temperature: 0 ℃ to 50 ℃

Operating Temperature: 32.000 ℉ to 122.000 ℉

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Maximum Tool Speed: Up to 1 m/s, depending on configuration

Joint Speed: 120°/s for J1–J2; 180°/s for J3–J6

Standard Configurations: 690 mm reach / 10 kg payload | 990 mm reach / 6 kg payload | 1340 mm reach / 3 kg payload

Software: Browser-based graphical/function-block programming, waypoint teaching, scripting/API support and hand-guided "Zero G" teaching. Inovo's software allows users to physically move the wrist into position and save waypoints

Controller & Computing: Separate Robot Control/Power Unit (RCU)

Material: Aluminium, polypropylene plastic and carbon fibre

Power supply: 230 V AC, 1000 W

Power Consumption: Approximately 250 W

Data Transmission / Communication: Wrist I/O: 24 V / 2 A supply, two 24 V digital inputs, two digital outputs and RS485 with Modbus RTU support for compatible third-party grippers

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Top 5+ Qualities (by addoobot)

What we find to be the top qualities of the INOVO Modular Cobot:

Highly Modular: The same robot platform can be reconfigured with different link sections to trade payload capacity for additional reach.
Wide Reach-to-Payload Flexibility: Configurations span from approximately 690 mm with 10 kg payload to 1340 mm with 3 kg payload, giving one platform considerably different working envelopes.
Easy Hand-Guided Teaching: Zero-G mode lets users physically guide the arm into position and save waypoints, reducing the amount of traditional robot programming required.
Browser-Based Programming: The main programming environment runs through a web browser and uses visual function blocks, waypoint-based motion and other accessible programming tools.
Flexible Installation: The robot can be configured for conventional horizontal mounting as well as wall and ceiling installations.
Built for Changing Production: Its ability to change reach and payload makes it particularly suited to high-mix or batch production where one robot may be moved between different processes.
Useful Integration Options: A standard tool flange, wrist power and I/O, RS485/Modbus support, Ethernet connectivity and an API make it easier to integrate grippers, sensors and external equipment.

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What Makes the Inovo Modular Arm Different

The main idea behind Inovo's cobot is quite different from the usual "choose a robot size and keep it that way" approach. Instead of selling completely separate arms for every reach and payload class, Inovo built its robot around interchangeable joint and link modules. Its user manual shows the arm constructed from shoulder, elbow and wrist joint modules connected through removable link tubes.

That allows the same basic system to be rearranged depending on the job. A shorter setup provides more payload, while adding length gives the robot a larger workspace at the cost of lifting capacity. In its current reported configurations, that ranges from roughly 690 mm reach with a 10 kg payload to 1340 mm reach with a 3 kg payload.

This can be particularly useful in high-mix and batch production. A company might use the longer configuration for reaching into a machine or across a pallet, then shorten the arm when it is moved to a compact assembly station. Inovo's founder has specifically highlighted this ability to move one robot between very different jobs rather than buying a separate fixed-size robot for each task.

Applications

Inovo primarily developed the Modular Arm for flexible manufacturing and automation, especially situations where processes or product batches change regularly. Examples discussed by the company include machine tending, material handling, pallet-related tasks and assembly. Inovo has also demonstrated applications involving vision, inspection, agriculture and food service.

Its flexibility also makes it interesting for research and experimental automation. In the European 5G-ERA project, an Inovo modular cobot was installed in a manufacturing research cell where a middle-length configuration provided enough reach while retaining sufficient payload for a laser scanner and paste-dispensing equipment. The robot was used as part of a system involving scanning, calibration and automated trajectory generation.

Outside conventional factories, Inovo itself currently showcases robotic barista and cocktail applications, illustrating that the arm can also be incorporated into customer-facing service systems.

Programming, Integration & Safety

Ease of reconfiguration would not be particularly useful if the robot then needed specialist programming each time, so Inovo has also put considerable emphasis on accessible teaching. The arm can be placed into Zero-G/free mode, physically guided to the required position and taught waypoints. More precise adjustments can be made using software jog controls or the joystick on the pendant.

The main engineering interface runs in a web browser. Programs can be assembled using graphical function blocks, while the software also supports functions such as path blending, grids/palletizing, arc motion, variables, TCP communication and Modbus integration. Inovo additionally provides downloadable documentation, CAD files, a URDF and an API link through its support site.

For integration, the wrist uses an ISO-standard tool flange and provides power, digital I/O and RS485/Modbus connectivity. Safety provisions described by Inovo include joint force sensing, dual-channel E-Stop and Safe Stop circuits, software safety planes and collision protection.

Configuration Comparison

Short Configuration
Reach: 690 mm | Payload: 10 kg | Repeatability: ±0.25 mm | Axes: 6
Best suited for: Higher-payload handling, compact workcells, bench-based automation, assembly and machine-loading tasks where long reach is not required.

Medium Configuration
Reach: 990 mm | Payload: 6 kg | Repeatability: ±0.25 mm | Axes: 6
Best suited for: General-purpose automation where a balance between reach and payload is useful, including machine tending, handling, dispensing and inspection.

Long Configuration
Reach: 1340 mm | Payload: 3 kg | Repeatability: ±0.25 mm| Axes: 6
Best suited for: Long-reach, lighter-payload applications such as reaching into machines, working across larger fixtures, light pallet handling, dispensing and sensor-based inspection.

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