Kawasaki Robotics (USA) has introduced Astorino, a new educational robotics platform aimed at industrial and technical education providers in North America. The platform is set to debut at the 2024 IMTS Smartforce Student Summit in Chicago, from September 9-14. Astorino is designed to offer the capabilities of a modern industrial robot at a lower cost, making hands-on robotics education more accessible to educators and students.
The platform includes a 1kg payload, 6-axis robot that closely mirrors the structure and programming environment of Kawasaki’s industrial robots. This allows students to gain practical skills relevant to evolving manufacturing technologies.
Astorino is built to be adaptable to classroom environments, featuring a built-in control system, dedicated firmware, and software. It supports communication via Modbus TCP, USB, and Ethernet, and includes safety functions such as emergency stop and safety brakes. The robot is designed to be cost-effective, with a base price of $5000, enabling a low student-to-equipment ratio, which is crucial for effective hands-on learning in fields like mechatronics and programming.
The platform’s development environment offers free software and code editing tools, and it minimizes recurring costs by allowing students to 3D print replacement parts, providing a clear cost structure for educational institutions. Kawasaki Robotics is also developing a range of training resources for educators, including a Train-the-Trainer course, to help them effectively integrate Astorino into their curriculum.
Paul Marcovecchio, Director – General Industries at Kawasaki Robotics, emphasized the company’s goal of advancing industrial robotics education by making advanced tools more accessible. The introduction of Astorino reflects Kawasaki’s commitment to preparing the next generation of technicians, operators, and engineers for the demands of modern manufacturing environments.
