Background

With the rapid advancement of robotics, the industry is transitioning from individual robots to complex robotic systems capable of performing advanced tasks. As robots become more sophisticated, integrating multiple limbs and sensors, the need for seamless integration and control across various components has become increasingly important. However, traditional control methods struggle with the complexity and scalability required for such integration. To address these challenges, MintRobot developed Karajan, a powerful software engine that leverages advanced AI to integrate and manage diverse robotic systems.

What is the

Robot Application Engine?

The Robot Application Engine is a PC-based software engine designed to unify diverse robotic control systems, simplifying the development and management of robotic applications. This technology allows various robotic systems to be consistently integrated into a single platform, enabling efficient development, seamless operation, and sustainable management of robotic applications.
Integrated Software Framework with GUI
The Robot Application Engine includes a robust software framework paired with a graphical user interface (GUI). This combination allows for the integrated management of various development processes, making it easier to build and maintain complex robotic applications. The software framework provides reusable components, enabling developers to create new applications more efficiently.
Functionality for New Robot Applications
The engine offers essential tools for developing new robot applications, including flow control for robot behaviors and management of communication between subsystems. These tools empower developers to model robot behavior, control various subsystems, and seamlessly manage interactions among different robot components.
Comprehensive Toolkit for Development and Operation
As a comprehensive toolkit, the Robot Application Engine supports users, including non-experts, by providing a user-friendly interface. It simplifies practical development tasks with visual tools for identifying issues and expanding functionality. Additionally, it ensures that robotic software can be continuously developed and maintained, regardless of manpower limitations, through consistent system configuration and management.

Why do we need

Robot Application Engine?

As work environments evolve, traditional PLC systems can no longer keep up with the complexity and scalability required by modern robotics. Unlike PLCs, which are limited to simple ON/OFF signals, PC-based Robot Application Engines can transmit and receive a wide range of data types, seamlessly integrating complex processes and efficiently controlling entire systems. With their high scalability and easier maintenance, these engines play a crucial role in the future of robotic systems.
PLC-based robot system integrated control
PC-based robotics system integrated control

Features

Structure of TERMINAL

To effectively integrate and manage multiple robots from different manufacturers, a consistent and unified control system is essential. Without middleware, the process is complex and costly, whereas middleware simplifies integration, reduces costs, and enhances scalability.
Interface Layer
Frontend (GUI) Web Server: Karajan provides a user-friendly, web-based graphical interface that allows users to configure and manage robot application projects with ease. This interface is essential for developing, deploying, and debugging customized robot behaviors.
Engine and Project Store
Karajan's Engine and Project Store are the core components that manage and execute robot application projects. These layers are essential for efficient system operation and include the following key elements.
Control Server
The Control Server handles the coordination of robot behaviors and communication, ensuring real-time responsiveness and accurate execution of tasks.
Runtime Module
Contains libraries that manage essential robot functions such as motion control, SLAM, and navigation.
Project Store
The Project Store contains all the necessary resources, such as configuration files, behavior models, and custom scripts, required to develop and execute robot application projects.
Robot Application Project
The Robot Application Project section within Karajan allows users to develop comprehensive robot behaviors and applications. Key tasks include.
Configuration
Setting up robot behaviors and system parameters.
Behavior Models
Defining how the robot should perceive, decide, and act within its environment.
Perceive/Action Scripts
Writing scripts that dictate specific actions based on sensory input.
Function Scripts (Custom Drivers)
Developing custom scripts and drivers for specialized robot functions, enabling precise control and operation.
Cognitive Architecture Core
At the heart of Karajan's intelligence lies the Cognitive Architecture Core, which drives the adaptive and intelligent behavior of robots. This core processes sensory data, manages memory, and coordinates robot actions through the following components
Memory Manager
Manages the robot's memory, allowing quick access and manipulation of data needed for real-time decision-making.
Perceive, Behavior, and Act Managers
These managers work together to sense the environment, decide on actions, and execute those actions, enabling the robot to behave intelligently and adapt to changes in its surroundings.
Middleware Communication Interface
The Middleware Communication Interface ensures seamless interaction between Karajan and various external devices and systems. This interface allows Karajan to communicate with both TERMINAL and ROS2, enabling integrated control of real and simulated robots.
Network
Connectivity
Real & Simulation Robots
Karajan connects with both real and simulated robots, providing unified control across diverse robotic systems. This capability allows for testing in simulated environments before deploying to real robots, ensuring robust and reliable performance.
TERMINAL (Default) and ROS2 (Optional)
Karajan integrates with TERMINAL as the default communication platform, with optional ROS2 support for advanced and specialized applications.

Workflow of Karajan

The operational workflow of Karajan guides users through the essential steps to configure, develop, and manage robot application projects. Karajan’s streamlined process allows for efficient creation and implementation of sophisticated robotic behaviors using its intuitive interface.
System Configuration
The first step in using Karajan is to configure the system. This involves setting up the necessary parameters to ensure that the robot system is properly initialized and ready for the development of robot behaviors.
Develop Robot Application Software Project Using GUI
Karajan enables users to develop and manage robot application projects through its graphical user interface (GUI). This step includes a comprehensive set of tools for designing and implementing robotic behaviors.
Design Robot Behavior
Define the specific behaviors the robot should exhibit in various scenarios.
Define Perceive/Action Scripts
Create scripts that dictate how the robot perceives its environment and responds with appropriate actions.
Define Function Scripts
Develop custom scripts to manage specific robot functions, such as navigation or sensor data processing.
Define Memory Data
Configure how the robot's memory is utilized and managed during operations.
Debugging
Perform debugging tasks, including step-by-step execution with breakpoints and manipulation of memory data to ensure the robot performs as intended.

Benefits of Karajan

Karajan provides several significant benefits that make it an ideal solution for efficiently developing and managing intelligent robotic applications in complex scenarios, leveraging its advanced AI-driven foundation. Below are the key advantages that Karajan offers.
Advanced AI-Driven Decision-Making
Karajan provides several significant benefits that make it an ideal solution for efficiently developing and managing intelligent robotic applications in complex scenarios, leveraging its advanced AI-driven foundation. Below are the key advantages that Karajan offers.
Cognitive Architecture for Rapid Decisions
Karajan’s AI uses a cognitive architecture modeled on human behavior, enabling quick and precise decisions in complex environments. This ensures optimal system performance and quick adaptation to changing conditions.
Classic AI for Full Traceability
Karajan’s RBHFSM engine employs classic AI techniques to ensure 100% traceability in all process flows. Unlike modern AI systems, Karajan excels at error detection and management, crucial in environments where reliability is critical.
Optimized Logic Implementation for Enhanced Efficiency
Swift and Accurate System Integration
Karajan’s innovative AI framework allows for the swift and accurate implementation of complex system logic. This reduces the time and costs associated with system integration, expansion, and maintenance, providing a significant boost to your operational efficiency.
Economic Efficiency through Logic Implementation
Karajan’s ontology-based memory integration and streamlined logic implementation process ensure that your systems remain both economically efficient and highly adaptable, even as operational demands evolve.
Unmatched Reliability and Sustainability
Comprehensive Traceability with RBFSM
Karajan’s RBHFSM (Robot Behavioral Hierarchical FSM) engine provides comprehensive traceability and real-time monitoring. This is essential for sustaining long-term operations in manufacturing and other industrial sectors, where reliability and precision are paramount.
Robust Error Management
The system’s system ability to trace each decision step strengthens error management, making Karajan indispensable in industries requiring high reliability and sustainability. This ensures that your operations continue smoothly with minimal downtime.
User-Centric Design with Low-Code Accessibility
Enhanced User Experience
Karajan’s intuitive, visual interface not only simplifies system management but also enhances user experience by reducing the learning curve. This allows your team to quickly become proficient in managing and optimizing your robotic systems.
Continuous Operation with Low-Code Flexibility
Karajan’s low-code approach minimizes the need for specialized programming, which is essential for maintaining continuous operation. By reducing the impact of the absence of specialized personnel, Karajan ensures that projects progress without interruptions, allowing for seamless and scalable system integration.

Comparison

Karajan vs.
ROS/ROS2 Key
Differences

While Karajan and FlexBE both aim to generate complex robot behaviors without coding, their primary objectives differ. FlexBE focuses on developing control systems for robot platforms, whereas Karajan is more like an integrated package for intelligent robot applications through independent robot interfacing. Thus, Karajan's operation aligns more closely with the original FSM (Finite State Machine) theory than FlexBE. The table below highlights their key differences.

Conclusion

Karajan is a vital tool for the future of robotics, designed to efficiently develop commercial robots through seamless integration of proven products. Powered by advanced AI software technology, it ensures the sustainable growth of robotic systems and serves as the central conductor for integrating and managing diverse robotic elements. With its robust software framework and user-friendly GUI, Karajan simplifies the creation and operation of complex systems, positioning itself as an indispensable asset for industries as they advance towards increasingly sophisticated and integrated robotic solutions in the future.