robotcontroller

A robot controller is the hardware and software system that manages the operation of a robot. It processes input from sensors, executes control algorithms, and generates commands for actuators. A controller can be embedded as a dedicated device within the robot or run on a more capable computer that coordinates multiple subsystems.

Controllers operate within control loops that may be centralized, distributed, or hierarchical. They must meet real-time requirements, processing sensor data and updating actuator commands at high rates. Common control strategies include proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control for simple motion, state feedback, model predictive control, and observer-based methods for sensor fusion and state estimation.

Hardware platforms vary widely. They include microcontrollers (for example, Arduino or PIC-based boards), single-board computers (such as Raspberry Pi or Nvidia Jetson), and industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Robots may use multiple controllers linked via professional networks and buses, such as CAN, EtherCAT, Modbus, or Ethernet/IP. Real-time operating systems and specialized middleware support deterministic timing and reliable communication.

Software ecosystems around robot controllers often involve robotics middlewares like ROS or ROS 2, which provide communication, scheduling, and tooling for development, testing, and deployment. Controllers may run as firmware on embedded devices or as software processes on general-purpose computers, sometimes with dedicated real-time tasks.

Applications span manufacturing automation, service and personal robots, drones and autonomous vehicles, and research platforms. The term “robot controller” thus encompasses both the computing unit that executes control logic and the software that enables sensing, planning, and actuation to achieve coordinated robot behavior.