Robotics
Dual-arm mobile manipulator
ActivePublished: 9 September 2026Updated: 9 September 2026Published
Key
innovation
Combining a mobile base with two robotic arms, uniting mobility with bimanual (two-handed) manipulation across an extended workspace.
Category
Robotics
Abstraction level
System
Operation level
Robot control
Use cases
Space explorationMilitary operationsHealthcare and home careLogistics and manipulation in changing environments
How it works
A mobile base (wheeled, tracked or legged) moves the robot to the worksite, while two arms with grippers perform coordinated, bimanual actions; control coordinates the base and arms, often using vision and motion planning.
Problem solved
Many tasks require both moving through space and two-handed object manipulation; a dual-arm mobile manipulator combines both capabilities in one platform.
Key mechanisms
Mobile base platform
Two coordinated arms (bimanual manipulation)
Base-and-arm coordination
Vision and motion planning
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
✓Mobility combined with dexterity
✓Bimanual manipulation (complex tasks)
✓Extended workspace
Limitations
✗High control complexity (coordinating base and two arms)
✗Limited industrial deployment
✗Higher energy and cost requirements