A device or tool at the end of a robot hand.

The “hand” connected to the robot’s arm. It is often different from a human hand – it could be a tool such as a gripper, a vacuum pump, tweezers, scalpel, blowtorch – just about anything that helps it do its job. Some robots can change end-effectors, and be reprogrammed for a different set of tasks.

If the robot has more than one arm, there can be more than one end-effector on the same robot, each suited for a specific task.

An accessory device or tool, specifically designed for attachment to the robot wrist or tool mounting plate to enable the robot to perform its intended task. (Examples may include: gripper, spot weld gun, arc weld gun, spray point gun or any other application tools.) (R15.06).