The race to create viable, functional humanoid robots is pushing engineering to its absolute limits. From bipedal locomotion to fine-motor hand manipulation, every joint – every actuator – presents an extreme challenge. The core problem? These actuators must deliver immense torque and precise control in a package that is simultaneously lightweight and incredibly efficient to maximize battery life.
In the world of high-performance robotics, automation, and advanced machinery, power and precision are paramount. But as our systems become more powerful, complex, and collaborative, another “P” becomes the most important of all: Protection.
Functional safety isn’t just about painting a guard rail yellow or adding an E-Stop button. It’s about intelligent, active systems that constantly monitor a machine’s state to prevent harm to people and equipment. These functions are built directly into modern motor drives-the “brains” that power advanced motors like ours.
iNetic has created the iMR and the iND integrated solution using the Circulo and the Integro drives from Synapticon. These drive use EtherCAT for communication. But what it is EtherCAT?
EtherCAT is defined by the EtherCAT user group in the IEC-Standard 61158 and defines the bus system and how the drive slave communicates with a master on the physical and basic communication levels.
CANopen is standardized by CiA and the CiA 301 describes the CANopen application layer and the communication profile.
