RBR50 Spotlight: Mecademic accelerates microautomation with SCARA robot – The Robot Report

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rbr50 banner with mecademic tabletop scara robot.


Organization: Mecademic
Country: Canada
Website: https://www.mecademic.com/
Year Founded: 2013
Number of Employees: 11-50
Innovation Class: Technology, Product & Services


Editor’s Note: The 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards were announced on April 9. The RBR50 has been around for the past 12 years, and the inaugural RBR50 Gala was held during the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston. The Robot Report will be highlighting each RBR50 winner throughout the year.

Mecademic launched its micro-SCARA robot in 2023, offering high speed and repeatability in a small and flexible format. The new tabletop SCARA follows the Mecademic tradition of developing high-quality, high-precision, smaller-footprint robots for assembly applications in electronics and healthcare. Mecademic has carved out a niche in the industrial robotics market with two of the tiniest yet fully capable robots on the market today.

rbr50 banner logo.The new MCS500 SCARA robot boasts repeatability of 0.005 mm. It features an embedded controller in the base of the robot and eight digital I/O and various communication ports, simplifying integration possibilities. The robot can be programmed with Mecademic’s software or integrated with any other robot control software.Mecademic robot arms include external 24/36V power supplies and are equipped with embedded safety modules, E-Stops and a safety I/O interface.

This industrial robotic innovation fills a crucial gap in the automation market amidst the growing trend towards miniaturization, and will create a strong demand across various industries where space is a premium. Mecademic claims the MCS500 is the world’s most compact and most precise SCARA robot with a reach of 225 mm (8.8 in.) and a maximum payload of 1 kg (2.2 lbs).

With fast cycle times and mounting flexibility, the MCS500 is ideal for a variety of applications. It can be mounted on a table or hung from an overhead mounting platform, depending on the application requirements. This robust robot is unique in that it offers a combination of simplicity, precision, and high performance in a small package.

Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.


RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024

Organization Innovation
ABB Robotics Modular industrial robot arms offer flexibility
Advanced Construction Robotics IronBOT makes rebar installation faster, safer
Agility Robotics Digit humanoid gets feet wet with logistics work
Amazon Robotics Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV
Ambi Robotics AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking
Apptronik Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators
Boston Dynamics Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid
Brightpick Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses
Capra Robotics Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics
Dexterity Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading
Disney Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics
Doosan App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming
Electric Sheep Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success
Exotec Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier
FANUC FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot
Figure Startup builds working humanoid within one year
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design
Gardarika Tres Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine
Geek+ Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system
Glidance Provides independence to visually impaired individuals
Harvard University Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease
ifm efector Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development
igus ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand
Instock Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS
Kodama Systems Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires
Kodiak Robotics Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations
KUKA Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics
Locus Robotics Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks
MassRobotics Accelerator Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success
Mecademic MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation
MIT Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease
Mujin TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading
Mushiny Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility
NASA MOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars
Neya Systems Development of cybersecurity standards harden AGVs
NVIDIA Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight
Olive Robotics EdgeROS eases robotics development process
OpenAI LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish
Opteran Applies insect intelligence to mobile robot navigation
Renovate Robotics Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles
Robel Automates railway repairs to overcome labor shortage
Robust AI Carter AMR joins DHL’s impressive robotics portfolio
Rockwell Automation Adds OTTO Motors mobile robots to manufacturing lineup
Sereact PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics
Simbe Robotics Scales inventory robotics deal with BJ’s Wholesale Club
Slip Robotics Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR
Symbotic Walmart-backed company rides wave of logistics automation demand
Toyota Research Institute Builds large behavior models for fast robot teaching
ULC Technologies Cable Splicing Machine improve safety, power grid reliability
Universal Robots Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30