RoboDK TwinBox Takes Robot Programming to Industrial PCs and Devices

RoboDX TwinBox takes the next step in production robot programming, offering automation engineers a more compact and versatile solution that doesn't rely on conventional computers.

Based on customer demand, RoboDK, a robot simulation software company, developed TwinBox, a self-contained system offering a full suite of features that enable users to easily set up and manage robotic systems in their workspaces using a simple single-board computer or IPC. The compact system integrates pre-installed RoboDK software into industrial PCs and small single-board computers or IPCs, allowing multiple devices and robots to be managed from various manufacturers simultaneously in a production environment. TwinBox can be easily controlled through a web browser, allowing users to trigger actions remotely and have a 3D view of a robotics cell.

The goal for TwinBox is to provide a dedicated version of RoboDK for industrial computers and enable remote control on embedded devices without the need for a local display, keyboard, or mouse. Users simply control the system remotely from anywhere, using a browser or another remote RoboDK connection, said Dmitry Lavygin, software developer at RoboDK. "RoboDK is already able to run programs directly on real robots using its online mode and robot drivers," Lavygin explained.

TwinBox was conceived after the RoboDK team identified a gap in the market – there were no space-efficient solutions for production engineers wishing to directly implement RoboDK into the production line. The product's compact size offers the advantage of easy positioning – it can be installed either next to or within the factory robot's control system.

A key feature of TwinBox is its ability to function effectively without the need for a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. It solely requires network interfaces to seamlessly connect to an internal network and a robot control system. This allows users to save more of their valuable floor space while still being able to utilize the full suite of RoboDX features.

RoboDK's approach to product development is to build new solutions on the back of tried and tested technologies, where ever possible. This means the company can deliver high-quality remote robot programming solutions without compromising on reliability or stability.

With TwinBox, RoboDK has crafted a reliable system that runs on both industrial and consumer-grade hardware. It supports multiple operating systems and hardware architectures, including Windows and Linux Debian or Ubuntu running on Intel x86-64 platforms or ARM. RoboDK provides dedicated builds for systems such as the Nvidia Jetson or Raspberry Pi-based industrial computers.

"The software works just like the desktop version of RoboDK," explained Samuel Bertrand, software developer lead at RoboDK. "The main difference is that the system can be controlled remotely from any browser."

With its remote interface, users can also access their TwinBox from anywhere in the world, with full control of all connected external robots, devices, and sensors. This allows users to monitor their robots remotely, in real-time, giving them more flexibility and control over their automation.

TwinBox also addresses the challenge of integrating multiple robots from different manufacturers. Typically, each robot brand needs to be programmed separately, which slows down deployment. With TwinBox, users can connect multiple robots from different manufacturers together into one cohesive system, increasing their flexibility and significantly speeding up the integration process.

TwinBox enables simultaneous connections, allowing it to be controlled from a remote desktop with a browser. It also "supports" OPC-UA, and RoboDK will be implementing other industrial protocols.