Platform independent interface for programming of industrial robots

Since the dawn of industrial robots, the teach pendant has been the main platform for man-machine communication at the shop floor. Manufacturers have traditionally seen industrial robots as tools for mass production, with limited need for reprogramming and human interaction. Meanwhile scientists have identified an extended potential of industrial robots in small batch manufacturing systems. However to achieve profitable small batch manufacturing more flexible human robot interaction methods than the teach pendant is required. In some cases, flexibility also requires that the control system is independent of the physical distance between the robot and its operator. This paper present a system-independent remote control interface for industrial robots based on Industry 4.0 cloud computing technology, with minimal requirements at the client device. Furthermore, the general solution can be easily scaled up to multiple robot control and the solution invites to and enables equipment sharing between organizations.