OWI Robotic Arm Trainer

by OWI

Product Features

• Teaches basic robotic sensing and locomotion principles
• You can command this unit with it's five-switch controller
• Five Axes of motion
• No Soldering Required
• OWI is the premier line of educational robotics kits

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 4.8 x 15 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005BTMG
• Item model number: OWI-007
• Our recommended age: 10 years and up
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 - 15 years
• Batteries: 4 D batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,196 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The ROBOTIC ARM TRAINER teaches the basic robotic sensing and locomotion principles, testing your motor skills, as you build and control the Arm. You can command this unit with it's five-switch, wired controller with corresponding lights to grab, release, lift, lower, rotate wrist and pilot sideways 350 degrees. After assembly, observe the dynamics of gear mechanisms through the transparent Arm. Five motors and five joints allow flexibility and fun. For educators and home schoolers. You will find the Robotics Technology Curriculum (optional) and Personal Computer Interface (optional) very useful tools. Specifications: Five Axes of motion: Base Right / Left 350 degrees Shoulder 120 degrees Elbow 135 degrees Wrist rotate CW and CCW 340 degrees Gripper Open and Close 50 mm (2 in).

Product Description

The ROBOTIC ARM TRAINER teaches the basic robotic sensing and locomotion principles, testing your motor skills, as you build and control the Arm. You can command this unit with it's five-switch, wired controller with corresponding lights to grab, release, lift, lower, rotate wrist and pilot sideways 350 degrees. After assembly, observe the dynamics of gear mechanisms through the transparent Arm. Five motors and five joints allow flexibility and fun. For educators and home schoolers. You will find the Robotics Technology Curriculum (optional) and Personal Computer Interface (optional) very useful tools. Specifications: Five Axes of motion: Base Right / Left 350 degrees Shoulder 120 degrees Elbow 135 degrees Wrist rotate CW and CCW 340 degrees Gripper Open and Close 50 mm (2 in).

Features include:

•Teaches basic robotic sensing and locomotion principles
•You can command this unit with it's five-switch controller
•Five Axes of motion
•No Soldering Required
•OWI is the premier line of educational robotics kits

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent design - makes a great tool in other projects, December 8, 2010

By 

Mr. Robotica - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: OWI Robotic Arm Trainer (Toy)

Cleaver and flexible design, it lends itself to easy modifications (increased the motor torque, modifications to the griper etc.) and adaptations for use in other projects. Such as a third hand on my electronics work bench when soldering etc. I just bought a second one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Roboto, November 8, 2009

By 

Steven Hageman "Hagtronics" (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this as a robot project to do with a 4th grader. It is well documented and the parts are well laid out in the box so they are easy to find. The 4th grader had no real issues following the instructions (with my little hints along the way). It works very well - the rotating wrist is pretty cool and a unique feature of this robotic arm. All in all a fun kit.

3.0 out of 5 stars 007 or 00-nothin', March 17, 2011

By 

G4Life - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: OWI Robotic Arm Trainer (Toy)

Key Points
*Relatively high cost ($65-$120 USD)
*extremely low speed (at acceptable torque, even at unacceptable torque!)
*delicate assembly
*good lifting power if tuned properly


The OWI-007 Robotic Arm Trainer is a pretty neat product but the low speed and joint limitations set it back from nearly every other robotic arm on the market.

The arm works with a 5-channel remote corresponding to five DC motor (RE-240) gearboxes that come pre-assembled. The rest you have to do on your own. It's a great learning experience, building the arm, especially for older children and young adults.

The chief problem lies in the clutch/slip gears, which must be carefully tightened down (using the provided tapping screws). Over tightening or under tightening, even a small amount, could result in the arm not being able to lift anything (even it's own weight). The shoulder joint has the most problems with this. However, when the slip gears are tightened properly, the arm can lift weights in excess of 400 grams!

I tend to compare this arm to others in its' range; i.e. the OWI-535 Robotic Arm Edge. The OWI-535 excels in nearly all aspects save two. *The clutch gears must be modified (super glue or other) to lift over 350 grams (use care in operation).
*The wrist does not rotate left/right it only moves up and down with limited articulation.

Overall I rate the OWI-007 Robotic Arm Trainer a 3 star. It's a cool teaching/learning project but in the long run falls short of what it could have achieved.

-G4Life