Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Development of standard network interface for open robot controllers and its demonstration at the '99 International Robot Exhibition", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926eab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Development of standard network interface for open robot controllers and its demonstration at the '99 International Robot Exhibition
Development of standard network interface for open robot controllers and its demonstration at the '99 International Robot Exhibition
Keywords Robots
With the spread of the Internet, recently the needs for computer network system has rapidly been increasing. In the Factory Automation industry, communication standards have been discussed, and transferring data to giving job instructions through host computers have gradually been realized in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and so forth.
While in the robot industry, controllers with network functions have been developing, if each robot maker develops its own network specifications to link robots and peripheral equipment through network, it also has to develop application software for PCs and software for the connection of peripheral equipment (visual equipment, etc.) individually. These investments would be a heavy burden for both robot users and makers, and compatibility of each piece of equipment would not be secured.
From this point of view, the establishment of standard network specifications for robots has strongly been demanded. If products conformed to the specification are developed, compatibility to link multiple number of robots, or robots and peripheral equipment through network will be secured. Moreover, in order to separate PC software from robots, the standardization of user interface and development of robot applications by software houses will be realized.
In this research and development, first, PC networked API (Application Programming Interface) for robots will be standardized. Second, based on the specifications, PC application software and communication interface software for robots will be developed. Lastly, the results of this will be demonstrated at the '99 International Robot Exhibition to be held in this year.
More than 15 robot makers (JARA members) will participate in this demonstration. Also, the results are planned to be proposed as an international standard.