PhotoRobot Control System - Overview for System Offers

The following overview of the PhotoRobot control system aims to support customers in understanding their PhotoRobot system offer. Find the different generations of the PhotoRobot Control Unit, basic features of the device, and technical resources for IT teams. This includes general information on the identification and setup of control units on the local network.

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Note: For detailed information to support IT teams, refer to PhotoRobot Control Units Technical Documentation. 

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Powerful, Built-In Control Systems

Every PhotoRobot has a control unit either built-into the device (such as with CASE 850 mobile workstations), or as a standalone unit (e.g. in a 19” HD rack case).

• The primary advantage of the standalone control unit is that customers can easily perform a number of tasks without the physical presence of a PhotoRobot service technician. This includes cases in which there is the need for replacement, servicing, or upgrading the control unit.
• Additionally, the design of the entire system functions over LAN (unlike simpler USB-based systems), allowing for easy assembly and management of large workplaces.

To date, the active versions of the PhotoRobot Control Unit are the G7 (2020 - today), the M Series (2023 - today), and the built-in control unit for the CASE (2017 - today). The G5 (2013 - 2015) has reached its end-of-life, while the G6 (2015 - 2020) is now obsolete.

New external control units in the 19" rack format (2U) connect via cables. This means that immediately after connection, the Robot can perform the most advanced functions.

From 6th generation control units (G6), the Linux-based PhotoRobot OS is the real-time operating system, enabling excellent performance and stability. The built-in web server provides monitoring, diagnostic tools, and basic control movement features.

Note: The Control Unit is built-into the PhotoRobot CASE 850, the C850 & C1300, Cube Compact, and the Frame. In some cases, this may include older versions of the Control Unit (G5 or G6) instead of the newest Control Unit G7. 

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Basic Features of Control Unit

The basic features of the PhotoRobot Control Unit are as follows.

• Real-Time Control and Diagnostics of the Machine (using a special real-time Linux OS assembled exclusively for this purpose)
• Powerful Processor (AM335x 1GHz ARM® Cortex-A8)
• Direct Robot Control via a Website (Embedded Server) - No superior application required (e.g. PhotoRobot _Controls)
• LAN Setup (Static and Dynamic IP Addresses)
• Diagnostic Tools:
  
  • LAN quality diagnostics
  • Checking for duplicate IP addresses in the network
  • Diagnostics of the device itself, checking the operating temperature, fluctuations in the mains power supply, etc
• Activation of Licenses
• Firmware Updates
• Service Interface
• Access for Remote Diagnostics System
• Cloud API with PhotoRobot _Controls (for the integration into customer systems if the customer’s own control system superstructure is required)

Note: Refer to the technical documentation on PhotoRobot Control Units for up-to-date and detailed information regarding the control system's basic features.

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In-House Manufacturing of Control Systems

The control system is a key component of every robot, so PhotoRobot uses only in-house manufactured control systems. This allows for complete control over their design. Meanwhile, the robot’s controller works optimally with higher level software, on a computer or in the cloud, thanks to PhotoRobot directly designing and producing everything – tailoring components precisely to the processes they perform.

At the same time, PhotoRobot rigorously manages the API at all levels. The cloud system has an API for easy integration with the customer’s other systems, and the robot’s control unit also features an API for integration with third-party systems. This modern concept allows customers to implement even very complex integrations.

Note: For information on a technical level regarding the essential characteristics of the PhotoRobot Control System, refer to PhotoRobot Control Units Technical Documentation.

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Control Unit Connectivity

PhotoRobot control units are interconnected exclusively via a LAN network. USB and similar solutions cannot be reliably used on a larger scale, while LAN-based solutions can cover the needs of a small studio with one robot, or large companies running more than 200 robotic workspaces in one cluster. 

A built-in web server (operating on the unit’s IP address) provides access to the unit’s control system (updates, service, monitoring).

Additionally, it is possible to locate and manage the control unit using the PhotoRobot Locator application. The PhotoRobot Locator app is integrated directly within PhotoRobot Controls App (CAPP) for the easier search and identification of control units on the network.

If a mobile device is connected to the same computer network as the control unit, the application searches for all available controllers, displays their IP addresses and MAC addresses, and allows specific unit authentication (it is possible to make the control unit panel flash to identify the given unit).

It is then possible to access the web interface of the control unit directly from the application and control the functions of the built-in web server.

Note: If external download of the Locator app is required, it is also available for direct iOS download in PhotoRobot Account Downloads. 

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Technical Resources on the PhotoRobot Control Unit

To evaluate the technical characteristics of the latest versions of PhotoRobot’s control systems, direct your IT teams to PhotoRobot Control Units Technical Documentation.

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