Robotic arm platforms
Desktop arms designed to be assembled, understood, and repaired by students. V1 is a 6-axis arm with a fixed gripper claw.
Educational Robotics — In Development
Robotics, electronics, and controls for real classrooms
K-Smitty Labs is developing educational robotics for schools, educators, students, and makers: robotic arm platforms, Arduino-based control and automation, and electronics curriculum. These offerings are in active development and not all are available yet — your input directly shapes what gets built first.
Prototype — Version 1
The K-Smitty Labs arm, already built
This isn't a concept. V1 is printed, wired, and moving on the bench — a 6-axis desktop arm in K-Smitty red and black, driven by an Arduino Uno R3. V1 ships with a fixed gripper claw; interchangeable end effectors are planned for future versions.
Development Focus
What's being designed
Robotics that students can build, break, fix, and actually learn engineering from — mechanical and electrical together.
Control & automation
V1 runs on an Arduino Uno R3 — students see the wiring, the code, and the motion all in one place.
Electronics & PLC curriculum
Circuit analysis, controls, and PLC instruction from a working instructor — pair it with the mechanical side and you get real mechatronics.
Classroom-ready hardware
Durable builds and lesson-ready activities made for real classroom conditions and repeat use.
End Effectors
Gripper today, quick-change tomorrow
Version 1 uses a fixed gripper claw — it grabs, lifts, and places. A quick-change mount with swappable attachments is on the roadmap for future versions.
Claw / gripperOn V1 today
ScoopPlanned
ElectromagnetPlanned
Custom end effectorsPlanned
Status: V1 prototype running — kits, curriculum, and attachments to be announced
The Electrical Side
Control, automation, and mechatronics
K-Smitty Labs isn't only mechanical. The arm is driven by an Arduino Uno R3, and the same hands behind the CAD teach PLCs and circuit analysis professionally. Pair the mechanical build with the electrical side and you get true mechatronics training.
Arduino / microcontroller programming
PLC programming & industrial controls
Circuit analysis fundamentals
Motors & control wiring (contactors, VFDs, sensors)
Interest Survey
Would you be interested in this?
Two minutes of feedback helps decide which products get built, at what price point, and for which grade levels — including whether to add electronics and controls training.