Arduino Braccio — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Arduino |
|---|---|
| Model | Braccio |
| Year | 2015 |
| Category | Modular Diy, Educational |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Price (USD) | $199–$249 |
| Connectivity | USB (Arduino), Bluetooth (optional) |
| Country of origin | IT |
Key features
- 6-DOF servo robot arm kit at ~$200
- Arduino IDE open-source programming
- Complete kit with all mechanical parts
- Arduino Braccio library for out-of-the-box control
- Open-source hardware and software
- Standard university introductory robotics assignment platform
- Active maker community with thousands of GitHub projects
What is it?
The Arduino Braccio is a 6-DOF servo robot arm kit that mounts on a base and is controlled via a TinkerKit Braccio shield connected to an Arduino Uno or Mega. All mechanical components assemble from a flat-pack kit; programming is done in the Arduino IDE in C/C++.
Who is it for?
University introductory robotics and embedded systems courses, maker space workshops, STEM competition teams, hobbyists learning servo motor control and robot arm kinematics, and secondary school engineering clubs. Anyone with an Arduino who wants to build their first real robot arm without spending more than $200.
Key specs
- DOF: 6 axes (6 servo motors)
- Payload: ~150 g (lightweight gripper)
- Reach: ~375 mm
- Control: Arduino Uno/Mega + Braccio shield (TinkerKit)
- Programming: Arduino IDE (C/C++), open-source library
- Power: DC 12V adapter
- Assembly: Kit (requires screwdriver)
- Price: ~$200
- Origin: Italy
Why it's educationally important
The Braccio's combination of open-source hardware, Arduino programming, and sub-$200 price makes it the default recommendation for 'first robot arm' in maker and education contexts. The Arduino Braccio library provides out-of-the-box joint control, and the open inverse kinematics problem is a standard university assignment. Thousands of student projects on Instructables and GitHub reference the Braccio.
Limitations
- Servo-based — lower precision and repeatability than stepper or DC servo arms
- ~150g payload limits to very lightweight grippers
- No ROS support (Arduino ecosystem only)
- Assembly kit requires time and mechanical assembly skill
- No built-in position feedback beyond servo position
FAQ
What Arduino board works with Braccio?
Arduino Braccio is designed for Arduino Uno and Arduino Mega, connected via the TinkerKit Braccio shield. The Arduino IDE Braccio library is pre-configured for these boards.
Can Braccio be programmed for pick-and-place tasks?
Yes. The Arduino Braccio library provides joint angle control, and the open inverse kinematics problem is a standard student exercise. With a gripper attachment, Braccio can perform simple pick-and-place of lightweight objects.
Is Arduino Braccio suitable for ROS?
Arduino Braccio does not have native ROS support. It operates within the Arduino ecosystem. Advanced users have integrated Braccio with ROS via rosserial (Arduino-ROS communication bridge), but this requires additional development effort.
Is Braccio still available?
Arduino Braccio and its successor Arduino Braccio++ are available through the Arduino Store and authorised distributors. Check the Arduino website for current availability and updated models.