Smartphone-Based Control System for Universal Robot UR5e: A Tool for Robotics Education

Abstract

Nowadays, industrial robots are operating in the most advanced and high-volume manufacturing production lines of the world, such as factories of vehicles, electronic devices and many other common goods that we use every day. Nevertheless, controlling these industrial robots, programming them, and designing production sequences involving them is not an easy task. This requires knowledge of informatics, industrial programming, electronics and robotics. This paper introduces a novel system for controlling a Universal Robot UR5e via a smartphone application. The system enables real-time manual control and the execution of concise programs, providing a user-friendly and intuitive interface. This innovation proves particularly advantageous for educational endeavours, especially in robotics courses offered in schools, universities, and other educational institutions. It serves as an effective tool to familiarize students with the complex aspects of robots, facilitating the study of their operation, control, and limitations. This hands-on approach enhances the learning experience, paving the way for the next generation of robotics experts.