Robot Industry Glossary

Software used to design and model robot structures, mechanisms, and components in 3D before manufacturing.

The process of adjusting a robot’s kinematic model and sensor readings to match real-world measurements, improving accuracy.

The process of determining a camera’s intrinsic (focal length, distortion) and extrinsic (position, orientation) parameters for vision-based robotics.

A robust communication protocol widely used in industrial robots, mobile robots, and automotive systems for connecting actuators and sensors.

Funds spent by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets like robots.

Moves along three orthogonal linear axes (X, Y, Z), ideal for large-volume 3D printing, CNC routing, and material handling.

A certification mark indicating conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold in the EU.

A work area containing a robot, its controller, and any safety devices and equipment needed for a specific task.

The point where a robot’s total mass is effectively concentrated; critical for stability in walking and mobile robots.

The process of converting a production line from one product to another.

The structural frame or body of a mobile robot that supports all components, including motors, sensors, and electronics.

The programming and design of coordinated robot movements for performance, entertainment, or demonstration purposes.

Control theory based on transfer functions, frequency response, and Laplace transforms, including PID and lead-lag controllers.

A control system that uses feedback from sensors to continuously adjust the robot’s actions to achieve a desired state.

Offloading heavy computation, data storage, and collective learning to centralized cloud servers, enabling fleet-wide knowledge sharing.

A robot designed to work safely alongside humans in shared workspaces, equipped with force sensing, rounded designs, and speed limitation.

Modes of human-robot interaction defined in ISO/TS 15066.

Designed to safely share workspace with humans, featuring force limiting, rounded edges, and advanced collision detection.

A shared area where humans and robots work together safely.

Algorithms and sensor systems that prevent a robot from colliding with obstacles during navigation or manipulation.

The capability of a robot to sense and respond to unintended contact with objects or people, either through force/torque sensors or software models.

The ability of a robot or joint to yield slightly under external force. Can be passive (mechanical) or active (control-based).

A mechanical structure that achieves motion through elastic deformation of flexible elements rather than traditional joints.

The field of enabling computers to interpret and understand visual data from images or videos.

A specific set of joint positions (angles or displacements) that defines the pose of a robot at any moment.

The abstract space of all possible robot configurations, used for planning and collision avoidance algorithms.

A company that produces goods for another brand under contract.

The continuous process of reading sensor data, computing control actions, and sending commands.

A capability allowing a robot to pick or place objects on a moving conveyor belt by synchronizing its motion with the belt’s speed.

Multiple robots working together on a shared task, requiring coordination, communication, and distributed planning.

A type of friction that opposes motion with a constant force regardless of speed, common in robot joints and gears.

Algorithms that generate paths ensuring a robot’s sensor or tool covers an entire area, used in cleaning, mowing, and inspection.

A tracked mobile robot designed for rough terrain, stairs, and outdoor environments, offering high traction and stability.

Imaging technology used in industrial robotics for non-destructive inspection of internal structures of manufactured parts.

An integrated system combining computation, networking, and physical processes; foundational concept for Industry 4.0 and smart robots.

The science of control and communication in animals and machines, foundational to robotics.

A being with both organic and biomechatronic body parts; the intersection of robotics and bioengineering.

The total time taken for a robot to complete one full operation and return to start position.

An actuator that converts fluid pressure into linear motion, used in industrial robots and heavy-duty applications.