What does the term 'end effector' refer to in robotics?

The term 'end effector' in robotics specifically refers to the component of a robotic system that interacts with the environment. This is typically the part of the robot that carries out tasks such as grasping, welding, cutting, or any action that involves manipulating objects or components in the robot's surroundings.

End effectors play a crucial role in the functionality of robots, as they are designed to perform specific tasks based on the requirements of the application they are designed for. For instance, in a pick-and-place robot, the end effector would be a gripper that picks objects from one location and places them in another.

In contrast, other components like the main processing unit is responsible for controlling and processing the robot's functions, while the communication protocol relates to the standards by which data is transmitted between devices. The power management system handles energy supplies and distribution for the robot. While these elements are important for the overall operation of a robot, they do not directly engage with the external environment in the same way that the end effector does.