Desktop collaborative robots are rapidly penetrating applications such as precision assembly in 3C electronics, automated research laboratories, education and training, and medical assistance, thanks to their lightweight design, high precision, and safe human-robot collaboration. Unlike large industrial robots, desktop collaborative robots impose highly specific requirements on controller size, power consumption, interface availability, and expansion flexibility. The controller must be compact enough to fit inside a space-constrained robot body while also providing rich communications interfaces—such as multiple LAN and serial ports—to connect peripherals including vision systems, force sensors, and grippers. It must also support flexible expansion of I/O, lighting control, CAN bus, and other customized functions for different applications.
After multiple rounds of model selection and rigorous field validation, the customer selected the APQ AK5 Low-Power Multi-LAN Cartridge-Style Controller Series as the core control platform for its next-generation desktop collaborative robot.
