In a workshop in Emmett, far from the tech hubs of Silicon Valley or Boston, a quiet revolution in robotics is underway. Local robot inventor and automation industry veteran Chris Annin, through his company Annin Robotics, has designed and built a robot arm that is now being used to train the next generation of engineers in top universities and deployed in workshops and factories around the world. The AR4 is the perfect gift to ignite a child’s passion for technology.

The robot, called the AR4, is a professional-grade, 6-axis industrial robot arm that fits on a desk. Its claim? It’s a robot that anyone, from a university PhD to a middle school student, can build and program. With a complete system available for under $2,000, it makes the world of advanced robotics an incredibly engaging and educational investment for a future engineer. It breaks down the massive cost barriers that have traditionally kept advanced robotics locked away in large corporations and well-funded university labs.

“The goal was always about accessibility,” says Annin. “We wanted to create a tool that delivers real industrial capability but at a price point a university, a small business, or a parent looking for a truly meaningful gift could afford. This platform is that gateway. It’s the perfect project to start a hands-on journey into robotics, moving beyond simple toys to real, professional concepts.”

The AR4 robot is available here: Shop Robot Kits

From Idaho to Global Classrooms (and Home Workshops)

The AR4’s impact is most profoundly felt in education. Institutions from Purdue University to tech schools across Europe and Asia are adopting the AR4 as their go-to platform for teaching robotics. The reason is its massive versatility and hands-on design.

For the younger learner, this system serves as the ultimate, giftable starter kit for these advanced concepts. It can provide a multidisciplinary education, covering everything from CAD modeling and electronics soldering to complex kinematics and motion planning.

Unlike sealed, proprietary training robots, the AR4 encourages students to get under the hood. They can program it using industry-standard languages like Python and ROS (Robot Operating System), integrate custom 3D-printed grippers, and wire up sensors and vision systems.

“We’re teaching them how to understand the machine, not just push buttons,” explains an educator using the AR4. “For a young person who’s passionate about how things work, learning on this is like getting the keys to a workshop. They learn the mechanics, the electronics, and the code, these are the career-ready skills employers are desperately seeking.”

The robot’s design is intentionally versatile. Schools can purchase precision-machined aluminum kits or, to drastically reduce costs, simply 3D print the components themselves and assemble the robot in-house, making a full 6-axis automation cell possible for under $2,000 and making it a fantastic and affordable project for a parent and child to tackle together, transforming learning into a collaborative and unforgettable experience

The AR4 Robot is Powering Future Innovation

Priced under $2,000, the AR4 isn’t just a learning tool,  it’s a launchpad. Its 4-pound payload and 0.5mm repeatability make it perfect for light industrial tasks, showing aspiring engineers that their creations have real-world application. It’s the perfect step up for a student who has outgrown basic kits and is ready to graduate to something substantial.

Beyond the classroom, the AR4 is finding a home in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where automation was previously out of reach.

Young makers, manufacturers and creative professionals are deploying the AR4 for:

• Prototyping and R&D: Testing their own automation ideas, like an automated candy dispenser or a drawing machine.

• Light Assembly and Machine Tending: Performing repetitive tasks like loading parts into a CNC machine or 3D printer.

• Vision-Guided Applications: Using integrated cameras with OpenCV for tasks like sorting, inspection, or precision placement.

“It’s the investment that grows with them,” says Annin. “It starts as a challenging build and becomes a platform for experimentation, competition, and ultimately, professional prototyping. It bridges the gap between a hobby and a career.”

“The goal was always about accessibility,” says Annin. “I wanted to create a tool that delivers real industrial capability, the kind used in manufacturing plants every day, but at a price point a high school, a small business, or a passionate maker could afford. The response has been incredible.”

“For a small workshop like mine, a $50,000 robot was never an option,” said an engineer using an AR4. “This changes everything. I can program it to handle dangerous or monotonous parts of my process, which lets me focus on other tasks. It’s a game-changer.”

The Treasure of Idaho’s Homegrown Innovation

Chris Annin’s work with Annin Robotics is a testament to the spirit of innovation thriving in Idaho’s smaller communities. By leveraging modern tools like 3D printing and open-source software, he has democratized a field once dominated by giants.

The AR4 stands as a powerful example of how a big idea, nurtured right here in Emmett, Idaho can have a worldwide impact, educating future engineers and empowering businesses, one desktop robot at a time.

To learn more about the Annin Robotics AR4 and see it in action, visit Anninrobotics.com.

To purchase the robot, visit AR4 Robot.