Real Time Operating System from Wind River Drives Robot Control Unit for Comau Robotics

The Real Time Operating System, VxWorks, from Wind River is driving the C5G system, a robotic control unit, of Comau Robotics. Comau Robotics works on designing automated robotic solutions for various industrial processes.

The C5G is the company’s fifth-generation control unit, which works at a speed that is fifty times faster than the previous versions. VxWorks operating system runs the peripherals of the system and takes care of the real-time functions with its sophisticated multi-core architecture.

The C5G is built on a modular hardware platform, which is capable of managing several robots simultaneously with the help of a number of advanced motion algorithms. Since it is run by VxWorks the system consumes very little power for its high-speed operations and is equipped with the ability of recovering from power failure. A software manager at Comau explained that the advanced performance needs of the C5G robotic control unit can be met by reliable and secure operating system such as VxWorks from Wind River. The expertise in the field of industrial control acquired by Wind River will be instrumental in adding value to the C5G system’s functionalities. The vice president of Wind River commented that technology from Wind River will be useful in enabling the robotic control units of Comau with abilities to tackle complex needs of the industry.