Arrowmax AI screwdriver identifies the drive type with a camera and highlights the bit

On 20 October 2026, Hong Kong-based Arrowmax launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Arrowspace S1 electric screwdriver. A camera on the rear end photographs the screw head, an app on the smartphone determines the type and size of the drive, and a smart case highlights the right bit among 52. In automatic mode the screwdriver sets a conservative torque limit for the recognized fastener.

So that the camera does not lose focus, a needle-shaped stop extends from the body. It is pressed against the screw and holds the lens at a fixed distance. The image is processed by a YOLO model in the iOS and Android app directly on the phone. Images are not sent to a server and are not stored, and no internet is needed for recognition. According to Arrowmax, the model was trained on tens of thousands of real screws and knows 12 common profiles.

The result is transmitted wirelessly to the case. A 2-inch TFT display shows the type and size, and an LED highlights the slot holding the right bit: green means the primary recommendation, yellow indicates an alternative. The kit includes 52 bits made of S2 steel with HRC60 hardness. The app shows the photograph so that the user can check the model's decision.

Recognition is not only about choosing the bit. In automatic mode the screwdriver limits the motor force to suit the fastener type. Torque is adjustable from 1 to 10 kgf·cm, roughly 0.1 to 1 N·m, and for overtightened or corroded screws there is a manual mode with up to 30 kgf·cm. The model still does not reliably distinguish JIS cross-head screws from Phillips; JIS screws appear in Japanese electronics, motorcycles and old photo equipment. Arrowmax says updates will expand the profile library, but no dates for specific additions have been published.

On Kickstarter a single screwdriver costs about $79, and the full kit with the case, 52 bits and a bit extension will cost from $119 to $129 depending on the pledge tier. The stated retail price is $215, and international shipping is about $16. By the end of October the campaign had raised more than $100,000 from more than 470 backers against a goal of 90,000 Hong Kong dollars, which corresponds to roughly 11,500 US dollars. Deliveries to backers are expected in April 2027, and the campaign runs until 4 December 2026.

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Translation editors: Соловьев В., Пеков А.