Advantech Says ARK Robot Arm Controllers Can Streamline Real Time Operations

Advantech Co. last week released a domain-focused package of robotic arm controllers—the ARK-1221L, ARK-1250L, and ARK-3534D. The Taipei, Taiwan-based company said they are designed to address the demands of the rapidly expanding market for robotic arms.

The controllers “offer outstanding performance, a compact form factor, real-time capabilities, support for industry-standard protocols, and advanced analytics,” said Advantech in a release. “By using these controllers, businesses can streamline their operations, boost productivity, and gain a competitive edge in the industrial and automation sectors.”

Founded in 1983, Advantech said it is a leading provider of artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) platforms and services. The company, which has an office in Milpitas, Calif., said its edge computers are optimized for computing performance, functionality, and ease of deployment. They are designed to serve markets including automation, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and transportation, it said.

ARK controllers designed to address growing market

The global market for industrial robot arms could expand from $17 billion in 2022 to $38.4 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% according to Research and Markets. It cited the automotive industry and improving global economic outlook as contributors to that growth.

Similarly, Fact.MR predicted that the robot arm market will expand at a 11.4% CAGR, growing from $26.2 billion in 2023 to $77.2 billion by 2033. It mentioned demand in industries including manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain.

Advantech said its robot arm controllers have a compact DIN-rail design for space-constrained industrial environments. It claimed that this “ensures seamless integration into existing setups, enhancing productivity and reducing installation time.”

“Equipped with real-time capabilities and built-in EtherCAT support, our controllers offer lightning-fast communication and precise synchronization for optimal performance,” said Advantech. “They enable smooth and efficient control of robotic arms, enabling them to handle complex tasks with utmost accuracy and speed.”

In addition, the ARK controllers are compatible with a wide range of industrial protocols, including EtherCAT, according to the company. As a result, they can easily integrate into existing industrial ecosystems, eliminating compatibility problems and simplifying the implementation process, said Advantech.

Advantech offers packages to accelerate application development

The ARK-1221L, ARK-1250L, and ARK-3534D robotic arm controllers are compatible with both Windows and Linux-based software packages, Advantech explained. This allows customers to choose the one that best suits their specific needs for a robot arm application, it said.

The ARK-series Robotic Arm Controllers are available now.

Advantech also recently announced a partnership with Overview for real-time AI inspections, one with MOV.AI for mobile robot deployments, and its own Valor workstations and IoTMart International digital commerce platform for small to midsize customers.