Collaborative Robot Arms Enable Breakthrough Research

AT A GLANCE

CLIENT:

LOCATION:

Coventry, United Kingdom

SECTOR:

Education

SUPPLIER:

Vention

TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED:

UR5e Robot Arms, UR20 Robot Arm, Patented T-slot extruded aluminum ecosystem.

TARGETED APPLICATION

Support Independent Living Research

LEARN MORE

Read The Full Case Study Here

Advancing Aging-in-Place Research with Collaborative Robotics Platform

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Deployment and commissioning

Seamless

System Integration

"We needed building blocks that were easy to put together, and compatible with one another from both a hardware and software perspective. Vention’s support really helped with this. It was also a really good product. [...]"

Dr. Joshua Schultz, Director, Biological Robotics at Tulsa (BRAT) Research Group

The Challenge

The University of Tulsa is tackling a major social challenge through robotics: helping older adults live independently at home while staying connected to their communities. Backed by a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), led by Principal Investigator Dr. Rose Gamble, they planned to start the Institute for Robotics & Autonomy, a new facility focused on real-world robotics applications. The robotics research team at the University of Tulsa needed a reliable way to test how collaborative robots would perform across a variety of tasks — such as sit-to-stand motion, balance training, or assisting residents with everyday tasks inside the house. For instance, one objective for the University of Tulsa team was to eliminate the need for older adults to climb ladders by extending the cobot's vertical reach. Another focus area was enabling complex two-handed tasks using a two-cobot platform integrated with machine vision systems. Bringing this vision to life needed a fast, flexible way to procure and assemble the essential components—and seamless compatibility between hardware and software.

The Solution

University of Tulsa partnered with Vention to deploy a comprehensive collaborative robots platform to directly address their research objectives for aging-in-place solutions. Vention's team helped customize a Robot 7th Axis application that included a telescoping column integrated with two UR5e robot arms. The set up helped the team create both dual-arm bimanual configurations and high-reach platforms capable of extending accessibility for the elderly. Additionally, Vention also helped deploy a UR20 cobot arm on a pedestal. Vention's MachineMotion controller, with URCap integration, ensured smooth compatibility with third-party equipment—maximizing the system's flexibility and adaptability. Vention accelerated the deployment by ensuring rapid shipping, with Vention parts typically arriving faster than other suppliers. The deployment process was further streamlined by Vention's responsive technical support and expert guidance.

KEY FEATURES

Enhanced Reach and Configuration:

Custom Robot 7th Axis application featuring a telescoping column for near-ceiling reach, enabling dual-arm bimanual configurations and significantly expanding the operational workspace.

Seamless Integration:

MachineMotion controller with URCap integration ensured smooth compatibility with third-party equipment, allowing researchers to use machine vision systems.

Modular & Robust Hardware:

Superior hardware quality and robustness of Vention's patented T-slot extruded aluminum ecosystem provided the precision and reliability needed for scientific research applications.

RESULTS

University of Tulsa needed a robotics solution that could adapt to different research scenarios, and Vention's plug-and-play approach delivered exactly that.

The telescoping column integration dramatically expanded the robots' operational workspace, enabling near-ceiling reach—which helped the University team find ways to eliminate the need to use the ladder for the elderly. The superior hardware quality and robustness of Vention's patented T-slot extruded aluminum ecosystem provided the precision and reliability needed for scientific research applications. Most importantly, everything worked together seamlessly. Thanks to MachineMotion and Vention's hands-on support, the University of Tulsa team could dive straight into the exciting research instead of spending months troubleshooting compatibility issues and hardware headaches.

This successful collaboration and deployment of robotics solutions has helped position University of Tulsa as a premier robotics research facility, focused on bridging the gap between theoretical research and real-world applications.

Dramatically expanded the robots' operational workspace.

Allowed the team to dive straight into exciting research instead of troubleshooting compatibility.

Positioned University of Tulsa as a premier robotics research facility.

Dr. Joshua Schultz, Director, Biological Robotics at Tulsa (BRAT) Research Group

"We needed building blocks that were easy to put together, and compatible with one another from both a hardware and software perspective. Vention's support really helped with this. It was also a really good product. Vention put enough metal in robot hardware and extrusion to provide the rigidity needed. Finally, Vention's team helped us choose the right setup from the start, so we didn't have to go back and order extra parts later."

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Telescopic 7th axis increases the reach of your heavy payload cobot with a range extender using Vention’s XL extrusions and our heavy-duty linear guides.