Shaper Tools unveils BenchPilot: Hands-free CNC milling & hands-on simplicity

At LIGNA 2025, Shaper Tools officially launched BenchPilot, a ground-breaking hands-free CNC milling system designed to enhance the flexibility of its hand-held router – Shaper Origin

The debut turned heads across LIGNA’s trade show floor, showcasing how BenchPilot transforms Origin into an adaptable, automated platform – without sacrificing the intuitive workflow that made Origin a favourite among woodworkers. For years, CNC routers have been seen as powerful but intimidating – complex to program, difficult to set up and often too rigid for dynamic workshop environments. Shaper Tools, the company known for bringing human-involved robotics to the workshop, tackled that barrier with the launch of Shaper Origin nearly a decade ago. BenchPilot is the next big step.

A smarter, simpler CNC workflow Origin users are familiar with its unique model: you guide the tool by hand, like a plunge router, while it auto-corrects in real time to stay on the programmed path. The tool’s onboard screen, cameraand software make designing, positioning and cutting straightforward – without needing any CAD/CAM experience.

BenchPilot is like autopilot for Origin: clip Origin into BenchPilot to turn it into a hands-free milling machine, capable of vertical or horizontal cutting. Let BenchPilot drive Origin so you can focus on other tasks at hand, then simply unclip Origin to use it elsewhere when needed

BenchPilot builds on that same simplicity, acting as an ‘autopilot’ for Origin: just clip it in and let BenchPilot handle the driving. When needed, you can quickly unclip Origin and return to hand-held use, offering the user true flexibility.

The system features a motorised gantry with a mount for Origin in place of a typical CNC spindle. A feed rate knob on the side lets users adjust speed in real time. As BenchPilot handles the movement from point A to B, Origin still controls the fine precision cutting – just without having to guide it by hand.

Vertical & horizontal milling capabilities

When paired with Shaper Workstation and the new Shelf Upgrade Kit, BenchPilot supports cuts within an 11 × 18in area – plus vertical milling, which enables complex joinery such as mortise & tenons on table or chair legs. Vertical clamping is rare at this price point, and a stand-out feature for joiners and furniture makers.

Let BenchPilot work, so you don’t have toBenchPilot isn’t about replacing your hands in the workshop – it’s about freeing them 

up. Tasks like engraving, batch-cutting tenons, or repetitive joinery can now run hands-free, while you focus on other workshop tasks, or simply take a breather.

It’s the best of both worlds: when portability and control matter, Origin still shines on its own, but when repeatability and efficiency are key, BenchPilot is the new go-to.

Your new workshop apprentice

CNC machines often fall into two camps: overly complex and underused, or only accessible to the one person who’s invested the time to learn them. BenchPilot breaks that mould. It feels less like a machine and more like a trained apprentice. Set it up, press go and let it take over the routine work – without a steep learning curve.

Using BenchPilot is intuitive for existing Origin owners. There’s no need for CAD or CAM expertise: design directly on Origin, in Shaper Studio, or import your own SVG, then clip in, select your shapes with a simple WYSIWYG interface, and let BenchPilot handle the rest. You can still tweak settings mid-cut and monitor progress on Origin’s screen.

Available now

BenchPilot launched to a packed crowd at LIGNA 2025 and is now available to order via www.shapertools.com/benchpilot and selected dealers. A special launch price of $1,399 (£1,054) is available for 30 days – usually $1,499 (£1,129). In the EU, shipping will begin in late summer, and early autumn in North America. To find out more, see www.shapertools.com.