Short: AI and machine learning are still largely associated with software, digital media and personal computers, but one company wants to show how the technology can improve power tools. Arrowmax’s upcoming Arrowspace S1 electric screwdriver set combines an HD camera, smartphone app, toolbox LED lights and an in-house AI model to take the guesswork out of identifying screws.
Hong Kong-based Arrowmax recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered electric screwdriver and funded it almost immediately. The device is available starting at around $80 and is scheduled to begin shipping in April 2027. The aim of the device is to streamline the entire process of choosing a drill and screwing in a screw.
A rear-mounted contact probe rests on the screw head, keeping the camera at a fixed distance while the S1’s HD camera captures the screw. The probe ensures maximum accuracy when scanning tiny screws, for example on glasses.
The system identifies the size and shape of the screw using an AI model that Arrowmax trained on tens of thousands of real photos. The company emphasizes that its internal engineering team collected each sample without using external training data, addressing one of AI’s key ethical concerns.
A companion smartphone app then displays the camera feed along with controls for torque, gear mode and other parameters. The S1 connects to the app via a local connection and does not require internet access.
Finally, in the connected Smart Case, LEDs above the slot with the recommended bit light up and the screwdriver automatically adjusts its torque. The procedure is intended to make it easier to select the right bit and prevent stripping, especially with the smallest screws.
An OLED display shows battery level, torque and direction. A 600 mAh LiPo battery provides a runtime of 90 minutes or approximately 900 screws, depending on the torque setting. The torque is between 1 and 10 kgf/cm. Charging via the rear-mounted USB-C port takes approximately 70 minutes.
The standalone S1 screwdriver starts at $80, while an early bird Smart Case and 52 bits package starts at $129. The Kickstarter launched on October 20th, reached its goal within 24 hours and has since surpassed it by more than an order of magnitude. Arrowmax has not provided a list of stretch goals. Add-ons include an angle screw for $18, two bit converter sets for $24 each, and a mini vise for $40.
