Universities and R&D teams worldwide are ramping up their robotics initiatives to meet the growing demand for automation across industries. From aging-in-place solutions to industrial research, academic institutions are leading the charge in robotics innovation. Vention is proud to be a part of this shift, having helped over 300 universities across the globe in their automation journeys. Now, through a strategic partnership with Franka Robotics GmbH and the integration of Franka Research 3 (FR3) into Vention’s FastFactory™ ecosystem, we’re making it easier than ever to launch robotics research.
Read on to learn what this means for researchers and universities looking to scale their robotics capabilities.
FR3 and Vention Ecosystem: A Recipe for Innovation
Integrating the high-precision Franka Research 3 (FR3) into Vention’s FastFactory™ ecosystem brings together the best of both worlds. Franka Robotics has a well-earned reputation for academic and R&D application with their uniquely intuitive and capable robot arm. The FR3 is compact, dexterous, and torque-controlled, ideal for contact-rich, delicate operations such as human-robot interaction, learning through demonstration, and precision assembly. Its inclusion in Vention’s plug-and-play ecosystem will now enable researchers to design, simulate, and deploy advanced robotic applications faster than ever before.
Explore FR3 on Vention Marketplace
What Makes Vention and Franka Research 3 (FR3) Ideal for Research
Unlike manufacturing, where automation serves well-defined goals, research applications in robotics often require a more open-ended, exploratory approach to design and prototyping. Vention’s intuitive platform minimizes these complexities by offering a reliable way to rapidly design in MachineBuilder™, Vention’s 3D CAD and validate using a digital twin. Built-in compatibility of Vention’s FastFactoryTM Marketplace adds another layer of simplification, making procurement seamless for universities and research teams.
In the fast-paced world of research and development, speed is everything. Vention’s ability to deliver automation solutions in days—not weeks—can accelerate innovation cycles dramatically. Now, with the integration of Franka Robotics and the research-ready FR3 on Vention’s platform, teams can prototype and deploy a wide range of applications faster than ever—something that’s difficult to achieve with traditional robotics approaches.
Compact and lightweight, the FR3 addresses one of the most common challenges in laboratory environments: space constraints. Its small footprint lets researchers easily integrate advanced robotics capabilities without requiring extensive facility modifications. Meanwhile, the FR3’s enhanced maneuverability and dexterity make it ideal for applications requiring precision.
Key Features of the FR3
- Seven Degrees of Freedom: This high degree of articulation provides exceptional flexibility, allowing the robot to navigate complex tasks and reach positions that would be impossible with simpler robotic systems.
- Real-Time Force Sensitivity: FR3’s torque-controlled joints enable real-time force sensing and response. This capability is transformative for applications requiring delicate manipulation and precise control.
- Safety-First Approach: Designed with human-robot collaboration in mind, the FR3 prioritizes safety without compromising performance, a critical consideration in research environments where humans and robots work in close proximity.
- Modular and Compact Design: Modular and lightweight at just 18Kgs, the FR3 is easy to mount, reconfigure and transport for a wide range of applications, making it the best choice for research testbeds. Paired with Vention’s easy MachinBuilder platform and modular extruded aluminium components, researchers can build the most versatile test platform.
First Look At FR3 On Vention’s Platform at Automatica 2025
As the premier automation event in Europe, Automatica 2025 in Munich is the perfect stage to experience the capabilities of FR3 on Vention’s platform. At booth B4.307, visitors will see the FR3 performing PCB testing on a Vention workstation, demonstrating its precise, gentle handling capabilities.
Platform for Next Generation Robotics
The declining workforce across the globe has made automation and robotics more important than ever. At the same time, collaborative robots have become increasingly relevant—offering practical solutions across healthcare, manufacturing, and the social sciences. Their growing affordability, coupled with rising academic interest, the emergence of AI agents, and increased government funding, is propelling the next wave of robotics innovation.
Yet innovation in robotics demands more than ideas—it requires a reliable, flexible platform for rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, without technical barriers. With the new joint offering from Vention and Franka Robotics, researchers now have a more accessible way to bring robotic applications to life.
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Ready to transform your robotics research? Connect with our robotics specialists to explore how Vention can help.
