baɪ vˈɜːtʃuː ʌvðə skˈæɹə pˈæɹəlˌɛlˈæksɪs dʒˈɔɪnt lˈeɪaʊt, ðɪ ˈɑːɹm ɪz slˈaɪtli kəmplˈaɪənt ɪnðɪ ˈɛkswˈaɪ dᵻɹˈɛkʃən bˌʌt ɹˈɪdʒɪd ɪnðə zˈiː dᵻɹˈɛkʃən, hˈɛns ðə tˈɜːm sᵻlˈɛktɪv kəmplˈaɪəns.
By virtue of the SCARA's parallel-axis joint layout, the arm is slightly compliant in the X-Y direction but rigid in the Z direction, hence the term selective compliance.