end effector

noun

variants or end-effector

ˈend-i-ˈfek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural end effectors or end-effectors

: any of various tools that can be mounted at the end of a robotic arm and that are used to interact with or manipulate objects

Performance data on robots, Lau says, usually describe a device's ability to place its end effector at a given point and do so repeatedly at very low speeds.

—K. M. Reese

Examples of end effector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Previously, another wrist joint was replaced and both of the arm's end effectors were swapped out for spares. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 30 June 2026

The robot’s end effector is equipped with a blade that cuts the stem and places it into a storage basket, without handling (and damaging) the fruit. — Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

The compact wheeled humanoid features 23 degrees of freedom excluding end effectors, with a single-arm payload capacity of 11 pounds (5 kilograms). — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

Typically, end effectors have been holding back robotics from applying the pressure successfully, but Peterson said the vision system paired with AI has enabled the robots to better identify items and determine the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) needed to grab an individual SKU. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for end effector

• eigenvector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• ejector
• elector