Embedded computing platform enables robot to play piano

Using standard building blocks, the platform's logic includes everything needed for the control of motion systems in a modular and cross-platform capable format. The platform's demo controller connects to the three servo motors of the hexapod and is programmed to press piano keys.

The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is operated by Microsoft Windows and, resembling a jukebox, is used to select the music to be played by the robot. To demonstrate the independence of the real time operating system from Microsoft Windows running in parallel, the GUI can be rebooted while the robot keeps playing piano. This demonstration debuts at the IoT/M2M Expo Japan.

"The combination of congatec hardware and RTS hypervisor technology creates an embedded computing platform for smart motion controllers that OEM customers can leverage to achieve very fast time to market as both the hardware building blocks and the SoftPLC are standards based, industry proven, modular, cross-platform capable components ready for installation; plus the hypervisor supports all common RTOS and general purpose operating system (GPOS) combinations OEMs might need," explained Martin Danzer, Director of Product Management at congatec.

OEMs benefit from a solid and powerful foundation for their real time control logic: The platform's fundamental building blocks have been validated to work together smoothly. congatec's acquisition of the hypervisor vendor RTS contributes to this optimised interaction between hardware and hypervisor.

The underlying hardware platform is built on congatec Computer-on-Modules and RTS real time hypervisor, simplifying efforts to allocate and adapt the real time processing power to any smart motion control or robotics demand. In a quad-core configuration with Intel Xeon E3-1505M V6 (4 x 3.0/4.0GHz, 8MB Cache), the platform can support up to eight threads to control up to eight real time axis drives in parallel or include smart vision and deep learning support.

The design is based on the conga-TS175 COM Express Type 6 Computer-on-Modules. Equipped with the high end dual-chip versions of the brand new Intel Xeon and Gen 7 Intel Core processors (codename Kaby Lake), they set a new benchmark for module-based high-end embedded computers and modular industrial controls that need to process massive workloads.

The modules are mounted on a conga-IT6 carrier board. Users of this new, Mini-ITX based carrier board for Computer-on-Modules can scale their applications across all relevant processor generations and manufacturers as required.

The Real-Time Hypervisor enabled hardware can be adapted to any required communication logic on a project basis. This includes multiple hardware interfaces i.e. Ethercat, MelsecNet and FINS or CC-Link, CANopen, DeviceNet and RS-232 as well as any other open Industrial Ethernet and fieldbus standards.