The arms of a companion robot move for expression and light interaction: gesturing, pointing, reaching toward a person. The actuation is low-force, smooth and quiet, and safe to touch, since the arm works around children and older adults. Force is held low and contact is detected through the current loop, so the arm yields on contact. Hands can be used to monitor people health.
Companion robot configurations
| Block | What it does | ST devices |
|---|---|---|
| Motor-control MCU | Runs the arm's gestures and reaching | STM32G4, STM32C0 |
| Motor driver | Drives the compact joint motors | STSPIN, STDRIVE |
| Position sensing | Tracks joint angle for smooth motion | Magnetic position sensors, encoders |
| Sensing | Tactile, temperature, motion | Pressure, STTS22H, ISM330DHCX |
| Biosensing | Detect heart rate, heart rate variability, ECG, Oxygen saturation | ST1VAFE3BX, ST1VAFE6AX |
| Head, eye and neck/shoulder joints | Head/eyes motion, enable 360° rotation, hybrid rotating joint | Compact motor drivers, ST60A2 for wireless data link |