Barrett Technology
Barrett Technology is a robotics company that designs integrated robotic systems built to work safely and intuitively with people. The company develops advanced drive systems and FDA‑registered medical robots, including the Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer for neurorehabilitation.
💡Notable Achievement: Barrett Technology spun out of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where its founder created the world’s first human‑interactive robotic arm funded by NASA, and has since developed multiple advanced robotic products including the WAM® arm and the FDA‑registered Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer.
Barrett Technology Robots
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Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers about Barrett Technology
Q:What does Barrett Technology do?
A: Barrett Technology designs and manufactures advanced robotics systems, including ultra‑miniature Puck® motor controllers and the FDA‑registered Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer. The company focuses on creating robots that interact safely and transparently with people for medical rehabilitation, industrial automation, and research applications.
Q:What is the Burt® robot used for?
A: The Burt® (Barrett Upper‑extremity Robotic Trainer) is an FDA‑registered Class‑II medical device used in neurorehabilitation to help patients recover from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal‑cord injury, and other neurological impairments. It supports the weight of a patient’s arm and hand while providing active assistance in three dimensions and engaging therapy exercises.
Q:What are Barrett’s main product lines?
A: Barrett’s main product lines include the WAM® robotic arm, BarrettHand™ gripper, Puck® motor controllers, and the Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer. These products are used in industrial automation, research, and medical rehabilitation settings.
Q:Is Barrett Technology a medical device company?
A: Yes, Barrett Technology operates a medical division, Barrett Medical, which develops and sells the FDA‑registered Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer for occupational therapy and neurorehabilitation. The company manufactures this device in an ISO 13485‑certified facility.
Q:Where is Barrett Technology based?
A: Barrett Technology is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, USA, at 320 Nevada Street, Ground Floor, Newton, MA 02460‑1435. The company designs and produces its robotics systems in this location.
Q:What is Barrett’s Puck® technology?
A: Barrett’s Puck® technology refers to its ultra‑miniature, high‑performance motor controllers that enable precise, transparent, and safe interaction between robots and humans. These controllers are core to Barrett’s advanced drive systems and are used in products such as the WAM® arm and Burt®.
Q:How many Burt® systems have been installed?
A: By 2025, the Burt® upper‑extremity robotic trainer surpassed 100 systems installed in the United States and 400 systems installed internationally, reflecting its adoption in rehabilitation and occupational therapy clinics worldwide.
Q:What is Barrett’s relationship with MIT?
A: Barrett Technology spun out of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (now CSAIL), where founder Bill Townsend developed the world’s first human‑interactive robotic arm funded by NASA. This academic origin continues to influence Barrett’s focus on safe, human‑interactive robotics.
Q:What industries use Barrett robots?
A: Barrett robots are used in medical rehabilitation (especially stroke and neurological recovery), industrial automation, research laboratories, and space‑related robotics projects. The company’s drive systems and arms are also employed in advanced manufacturing and experimental platforms.
Q:Is Barrett Technology publicly traded?
A: No, Barrett Technology is a privately held company. It is not publicly traded and operates as a private SME in the robotics and medical device sectors, supported by grants and contracts from agencies such as NASA, NIH, NSF, DOE, and DARPA.
💡Expert Info: Compiled from verified manufacturer data and official sources. Data verified directly from official channels. For current specs, contact Barrett Technology directly.