This is the first robot in a family of affordable and intelligent robots under development that can perform simple manufacturing tasks.
The robot is capable of performing typical operations: sorting, loading/unloading, packing/unpacking, grinding, polishing, etc.
The robot performs these operations by means of two manipulators, each with seven degrees of freedom.
At the moment, there are two models of working grippers: parallel plates and suction cups (there are plans to develop additional tools).
Baxter is not as strong and fast as conventional industrial robots, but its main feature is quick learnability and adaptability.
To teach the robot to recognize an object, just hold it in front of the robot cameras located in the head, chest and at the ends of both arms-manipulators, and to program the robot action, just take it by the hand and show the required movements (the required actions are selected using a pair of switches located on the wrists of the manipulators).
Trials of robot prototypes in several small U.S. companies, in manufacturing and assembly, have shown that the robots can work at the equivalent of about $4 per hour.