Hardware

Robot Controller

A robot controller is the computer and power-electronics unit that runs a robot's motion control, executing trajectory interpolation, closing joint servo loops at kilohertz rates, and managing safety functions, I/O, and program execution. Industrial controllers pair a cabinet of servo drives with a teach pendant interface, and most modern units expose external real-time interfaces that let outboard computers, including those running learned policies, stream setpoints.

Why it matters for physical AI

The controller's external interfaces, streaming rates, and safety architecture define how learned policies can command an arm, making controller openness a practical gatekeeper for deploying physical AI on industrial hardware.