What is end effector in robotics?

• A. A sensor attached to the robot's base.
• B. A protective enclosure for robots.
• C. The tooling that enables a robot to perform a task, such as grippers or tools.
• D. The control software that sequences moves.

Answer: (C)

In robotics, the end effector is the tool at the end of the robotic arm that actually carries out the task. It’s the device that enables the robot to interact with and manipulate the workpiece, such as a gripper for picking and placing, a welding torch, a suction cup, a drill, or any other tool. The end effector is typically designed to be swapped out depending on the job, while the arm and its joints provide the reach and motion.

This is distinct from sensors mounted elsewhere on the robot, protective enclosures, or the software that controls movement. Those parts support the system, but they are not the actual tool that performs the task at the end of the arm.