An industrial robot (1) comprises: an articulated structure (2, 3, 5, 7, 10), which can move according to a number of axes for translating a tool (13) that comprises functional components of an electrical type (22, 24, 25, 26), provided for executing programmed operations; an electronic control unit (15, 30), provided for managing both the movement of the structure of the robot (1) and the operation of the tool (13). According to the invention, the tool (13) is equipped with an autonomous electric-power source (23), such as a battery, for supplying both the functional components (22, 24, 25, 26) and an electronic control circuit (28) for controlling the components themselves, and the control circuit (28) is in signal communication with the control unit (15, 30) in wireless mode, for the purposes of controlling the operation of the functional components (22, 24, 25, 26).