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In the robotics development community, official specifications only prove their value when real users put them to the test. In this video, we invited renowned robotics maker Daniel Simu to share his unboxing and first impressions of the CubeMars AK70-10 Brushless Robotic Actuator.
Daniel is integrating the AK70-10 into his latest Acrobot project. Through his hands-on experience, we take a closer look at how the AK70-10 delivers impressive torque from a compact form factor while offering a control experience that's as simple as using a servo.
When developing small and medium-sized robots—such as robotic arms, bipedal and quadruped robots, or acrobatic robots—engineers often face a difficult trade-off.
The limitations of conventional servos: Standard hobby servos are affordable and easy to use, but their torque is limited, and their plastic gear trains are prone to stripping under high-impact dynamic loads.
The complexity of industrial servo systems: High-performance brushless motors provide excellent power, but they typically require external motor drivers, additional encoders, and custom FOC (Field-Oriented Control) algorithms, resulting in larger systems and significantly longer development cycles.
Is there a solution that combines the simplicity of a servo with the performance of an industrial actuator?The CubeMars AK70-10 was designed to do exactly that.
After opening the package, Daniel was immediately impressed by the build quality and high level of integration. As a fully integrated robotic joint actuator, the AK70-10 features:
1:10 precision planetary gearbox for high torque multiplication while maintaining excellent transmission efficiency and minimal backlash.
Up to 25 Nm peak torque, delivering exceptional output from a compact 70 mm flange size—ideal for absorbing the heavy impacts generated during acrobatic jumps and landings.
Maximum speed of 310 RPM, enabling fast dynamic response and agile robot motion.
Built-in 14-bit high-resolution magnetic encoder, providing accurate position feedback for smooth and precise control.
During his initial testing, Daniel highlighted two features that stood out in real-world development.
Highly Integrated Design for Faster Development: The AK70-10 is more than just a motor—it's a complete robotic actuator. Inside a compact housing, it integrates a brushless motor, planetary gearbox, high-resolution encoder, and a customized FOC driver board. Developers no longer need to purchase, wire, and tune separate motor drivers. Simply connect power and CAN communication, and the actuator is ready to operate. This greatly simplifies wiring while saving valuable internal space inside robotic systems.
Real-Time Torque Estimation for Advanced Force Control: One of Daniel's favorite features was the actuator's ability to estimate and report output torque and current in real time.Powered by its integrated driver and control algorithms, the AK70-10 provides torque feedback directly through the CAN bus without requiring an external torque sensor. This allows developers to implement advanced capabilities such as collision detection, impedance control, compliant manipulation, and force-sensitive interaction with minimal additional hardware.
Follow Daniel as he explores the AK70-10 and demonstrates its capabilities.
Detailed unboxing – A 360° look at the aluminum housing, cable routing, connector layout, and overall mechanical design.
Bench testing – Watch the actuator achieve remarkably smooth position tracking and speed control through simple commands.
Acrobot project preview – Learn why Daniel selected the AK70-10 as the primary joint actuator for his acrobatic robot and hear his expectations for upcoming high-dynamic motion tests.
Q1: Can the AK70-10 replace the high-torque servos used in my robot?
A: Absolutely. In fact, it offers a significant upgrade. The AK70-10 uses an all-metal gear transmission that eliminates the stripped plastic gear issues common in conventional servos. It also supports standard CAN communication, allowing developers to control position and speed with simple commands while achieving smoother motion, higher precision, and up to 25 Nm of peak torque.
Q2: Can I use the AK70-10 without extensive motor control experience?
A: Yes. The complex FOC control algorithm is already implemented inside the actuator. You simply send CAN commands from your controller—whether it's an Arduino, STM32, ROS platform, or another controller. CubeMars provides comprehensive communication documentation and example code, allowing you to focus on your robot's application instead of low-level motor tuning.
Thanks to Daniel for sharing his genuine hands-on experience! If you're also interested in the AK70-10, you're welcome to access detailed technical documentation or explore more high-performance robotic joint modules from CubeMars.
[Learn More About the CubeMars AK70-10: Detailed Specifications and Dimensions]
