Internet drives need for standard robot interface
Internet drives need for standard robot interface
Keywords: Internet, Robots
Growing use of the Internet is driving many in the robotics industry to examine the feasibility of a standard network interface for robot controllers.
The next major focus for this will take place at the '99 International Robot Exhibition to be held in Tokyo (in conjunction with the 30th ISR) later this year, when 15 robot companies will participate in a demonstration of a standard interface for robot controllers.
In the factory automation industry, CALS - Continuous Acquisition and Life cycle Support - has been much discussed, while the transfer of data to PCs through host computers, such as giving job instructions, has been achieved in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. But the growing use of the Internet as a tool for robot controllers has quickly increased the need for an efficient computer network system.
The problem is highlighted because, while the robotics industry is developing controllers incorporating network functions, many robot manufacturers are developing their own network specifications in a bid to link robots and peripheral equipment through a network.
These investments pose a heavy burden on robot manufacturers and users alike,while the compatibility of each system component cannot be guaranteed.
For this reason, the creation of a standard network specification for robots has been demanded. Software products adapted to the specification of robots open up the possibility of linking multiple numbers of robots, or robots with their peripheral equipment, through various networks.
Research and development has begun into a standardised PC networked Application Programming Interface (API), together with the development of PC applications software and communications interface software for robots. The results of this work, in which 15 robot makers - all JARA members - participate,will be highlighted at the '99 International Robot Exhibition together with proposals for an international standard. Various robot manufacturers and their machines will be linked though the Ethernet to the main JARA booth where information will be displayed.
Source: JARA
