What is the end effector in robotics?

• A. A sensor that detects position.
• B. The special tooling that enables a robot to perform a specific task, such as grippers or tools.
• C. The robot's base frame.
• D. A software module for trajectory planning.

Answer: (B)

The end effector is the device at the end of a robotic arm that actually interacts with the world to perform a task. It provides the specific action needed for the job, such as gripping and manipulating parts, welding, cutting, or applying a suction cup, depending on what the robot is meant to do. The rest of the robot—the arm’s joints and links—gives it reach and motion, while the end effector is the tooling that directly executes the operation.

Other items described aren’t the end effector: a position sensor is for sensing where the robot or object is, not performing the task; the base frame is simply the reference coordinate system; and a software module for trajectory planning handles motion paths, not the actual physical interaction with objects.