A robotic arm is an automatic operating device that can mimic certain movement functions of human hands and arms, and is used to grasp, transport objects or operate tools according to fixed procedures. The robotic arm is the earliest industrial robot and also the earliest modern robot. It can replace human labor to achieve mechanization and automation of production, and can operate in harmful environments to protect personal safety. Therefore, it is widely used in departments such as mechanical manufacturing, metallurgy, electronics, light industry, and atomic energy.

It was developed based on the early emergence of ancient robots, and the research on robotic arms began in the mid-20th century. With the development of computer and automation technology, especially since the first digital electronic computer was introduced in 1946, computers have made astonishing progress, moving towards high-speed, large capacity, and low price. At the same time, the urgent demand for mass production has driven the progress of automation technology and laid the foundation for the development of robots. On the other hand, research on nuclear energy technology requires certain operating machinery to replace humans in handling radioactive substances. Against this backdrop of demand, the United States developed remote-controlled robotic arms in 1947 and mechanical master-slave robotic arms in 1948. The development of robotic arms began in the United States.