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Robotics

Franka Research 3 ✓

Reference platform for robotics and AI research.

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API Robotics Research
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Franka Control Interface High-resolution Torque Sensors Motion Control
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Verdict

A quick read before you dig into the full page.

Best if
Reference platform for robotics and AI research
Skip if
High learning curve
Pick this when
7 degrees of freedom

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Overview

Franka Research 3 is an advanced robotic platform ideal for AI and robotics research. This robot system showcases precision engineering with 7 degrees of freedom, enabling human-like dexterity and motion in tight spaces.

It is equipped with high-quality sensors and actuators which make it a versatile and reliable tool for researchers. Incorporating high-resolution torque sensors in each joint, the Franka Research 3 is capable of fine-tuning external contact force estimations and promptly reacting to collisions.

This high sensitivity allows for advanced torque or force control possibilities and offers smooth and intuitive hand-guiding capabilities. With its user-friendly programming UI, researchers can quickly set up tasks, while its advanced direct joint control feature allows for deeper research pursuits.

Franka Research 3 also features a low-level, high-quality sensor data interface ideal for motion control research and the development of highly specific behaviors.

The robot system is compatible with widely used open-source frameworks like ROS 2 and MATLAB, facilitating collaboration and information sharing among the global community of top robotics researchers.

Continuous updates and optimizations keep the robotic system efficient and up-to-date, while its integrated community platform encourages collaborative advancements in the field.

The Franka Research 3 further stands out with the Franka Control Interface, an ideal tool for those requiring fine-grained control over the robot and access to real-time sensor data.

Franka Research 3 website

Access & connections

Where you can use Franka Research 3, and what it plugs into.

Platforms

Web

Integrations

Make

Capabilities

What this tool accepts, produces, and is strongest at.

Input

  • API
  • Sensor data

Output

  • 3D
  • API

Pros & cons

Pros

  • 7 degrees of freedom
  • Precision engineering
  • High-quality sensors and actuators
  • High-resolution torque sensors
  • Advanced torque or force control
  • Smooth hand-guiding capabilities
  • User-friendly programming UI
  • Advanced direct joint control
Show 43 more
  • High-quality sensor data interface
  • Compatible with ROS 2
  • Compatible with MATLAB
  • Continuous updates and optimizations
  • Integrated community platform
  • Franka Control Interface for fine-grained control
  • Real-time sensor data access
  • Prompt collision response
  • Ideal for motion control research
  • Human-like dexterity and motion
  • High sensitivity in contact force estimations
  • Collaborates with global community of researchers
  • Versatility in research
  • Ideal for development of specific behaviors
  • Reliable tool for researchers
  • Enables fine-tuning of external contact force estimations
  • Robot system performs in tight spaces
  • Offers smooth and intuitive hand-guiding capabilities
  • Supports sharing of information among researchers
  • High-quality mechatronic system
  • Engineered and manufactured in Germany
  • Optimized for performance and ergonomics
  • Payload 3 kg
  • Reach 855 mm
  • Workspace efficiency 94.5%
  • Position repeatability < 0.1 mm
  • Continuous software updates
  • Community-driven improvements
  • Fast and direct low-level bidirectional connection
  • Real-time control values at 1 kHz
  • Access to robot model library
  • Access to forward kinematics of all robot joints
  • Access to detailed 3D meshes of robots for visualization
  • MoveIt! integration
  • Multiple interfaces for different use cases
  • Workflow-based programming using Apps
  • Integration with ROS and MATLAB
  • 1 kHz torque, position and velocity control
  • Real-time control at 1 kHz
  • Advanced safety features
  • MUJOCO support
  • Seamless experience for modeling and testing
  • Direct control with an external workstation PC

Cons

  • High learning curve
  • Only supports ROS 2, MATLAB
  • Limited payload capacity
  • Possible over-sensitivity in collision response
  • No out-of-box simulation capabilities
  • Limited joint control
  • Requires constant updates
  • Dependent on community for enhancements
Show 2 more
  • Lack of native programming support
  • Limited by Ethernet connection speed

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Releases 1

Initial release May 19, 2025 Current
Initial release of Franka Research 3.

FAQ 12

What is the Franka Research 3?
The Franka Research 3 is an advanced robotic platform that is perfect for AI and robotics research. Showcasing precision engineering with 7 degrees of freedom, it is capable of demonstrating human-like dexterity and motion in confined spaces. It's a highly reliable tool for researchers due to high-quality sensors and actuators embedded in it and also has a user-friendly programming UI.
What can the Franka Research 3 do?
Franka Research 3 can perform tasks with human-like dexterity due to its 7 degrees of freedom, making it capable of moving around obstacles and in tight spaces. It has the ability to fine-tune external contact force estimations and react promptly to collisions, thanks to the high-resolution torque sensors in its joints. Furthermore, it offers advanced torque or force control possibilities and smooth and intuitive hand-guiding capabilities, facilitating deeper research pursuits.
How does the Franka Research 3 exhibit human-like dexterity?
Franka Research 3 presents human-like dexterity through its seven degrees of freedom arm. This capability allows for motions in tight spaces and around obstacles, mimicking the flexibility and adaptability of human hands and arms. This high degree of freedom increases robotic precision, facilitates mobility in complex environments, and enhances interaction with objects.
What sensors and actuators does the Franka Research 3 have?
The Franka Research 3 comes with high-quality sensors and actuators. The sensors provide high-resolution data, which helps in the fine-tuning of external contact force estimations. At the same time, the actuators help enable the complex and versatile movement the Franka Research 3 is known for. Additionally, there are torque sensors integrated into each joint of the robot.
What are the benefits of having high-resolution torque sensors in the Franka Research 3?
The high-resolution torque sensors embedded in each joint of the Franka Research 3 function to fine-tune external contact force estimations. This results in a high degree of sensitivity, enabling advanced torque or force control possibilities and providing smooth and intuitive hand-guiding capabilities. Furthermore, the torque sensors also permit immediate response to collisions, improving safety and operational reliability.
How does the Franka Research 3 react to collisions?
The Franka Research 3 is capable of promptly reacting to collisions. Thanks to the torque sensors integrated at each joint, which finely estimate external contact forces and enable a fast control loop, the robot system can quickly respond to immediate impact or collisions. This feature enhances the safety and robustness of the robot's operation in different environments.
What is the user-friendly programming UI of Franka Research 3?
The Franka Research 3 comes with a user-friendly programming UI, which allows researchers to quickly set up tasks. The interface is designed to be intuitive and efficient, minimizing the learning curve for users and speeding up the process of task programming. This facilitates faster implementation of various tasks and experiments, fostering a more productive research environment.
What is the function of the advanced direct joint control of Franka Research 3?
The advanced direct joint control feature of the Franka Research 3 allows for the execution of intricate research pursuits. Through this feature, researchers can control and manipulate the robot's movements at the joint level, promoting detailed and high-precision operation. This ultimately enables more granular research and developments in robotics and AI.
What is the purpose of the low-level, high-quality sensor data interface of Franka Research 3?
The low-level, high-quality sensor data interface in Franka Research 3 provides high-frequency (1 kHz) motion control. It is designed to support the development of highly specific behaviours and advanced motion control research, contending with tasks unachievable by most robots. Consequently, it accentuates the robot's precision, agility, and adaptability.
How can researchers utilize the Franka Research 3 for motion control research?
For motion control research, researchers can utilize the Franka Research 3's low-level, high-quality sensor data interface. This interface offers high-frequency motion control, fostering the development of highly specific behaviors. Consequently, researchers can undertake more detailed, precise, and controlled experiments, applying a wide range of motion control techniques in the process.
How is the Franka Research 3 compatible with ROS 2 and MATLAB?
Franka Research 3 is compatible with ROS 2 and MATLAB, two widely used open-source frameworks. This compatibility facilitates collaboration and information sharing among the global community of top robotics researchers. As a result, researchers can integrate their work with these systems, reproduce, advance, and share cutting-edge research, thereby enhancing the global innovation in robotics research.
What continuous updates and optimizations does the Franka Research 3 robot system receive?
Franka Research 3 benefits from continuous updates and optimizations. These ongoing improvements ensure that the robotic system stays efficient, up-to-date, and is able to take full advantage of the latest developments in technology and research methodologies. Enhancement details are not explicitly stated but are presumably related to system performance, compatibility, and functionality.
Franka Research 3
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