Knowledge Base > Technology

Robotic Crawler System Controls

This page contains some general information on common control schemes for robotics. The control system can be broken down into three major categories, user interface, communication between user interface and the crawler, and the on-board crawler control.

User Interfaces

Many options exist to connect a person with a machine, from very sophisticated virtual reality full body gloves to very simple buttons. Here is some info on the most common types used at Jamko.

Computer Based

An off the shelf computer takes input from the mouse, keyboard, or other input devices. The computer interfaces with custom software to send commands to the crawler. 

Embedded System

The easiest way to think of embedded systems is to think of them as small purpose built computers using very simplistic hardware and software. This approach is often lower cost than a full-blown computer based system, and proper designs can be very fast and very efficient.

Embedded systems are typically wrapped in custom enclosures with durable industrial buttons and joysticks for user input.

Communication Between User Interface and Robot

The first question to be answered when designing the interface between the controller and the robot itself is should it be wired or wireless? There are four main considerations in determining whether to use a wired or wireless system:

1. Retrieve-ability
2. Continuous power
3. Reliable communication
4. Mobility

On-Board Control

Once the information is gathered from the operator and sent to the crawler, an onboard control system interprets data and controls motors and actuators to perform the desired action. Often an embedded system is desired for this because of physical size constraints; however, small computers can be implemented on larger crawlers giving more programming power and flexibility. Output from the computing device is fed into motor drivers and other power circuitry which takes the signal level controls and converts it to higher voltage/higher power outputs which drive motors, lights, and other peripherals.