Acceleration Robotics, a robotics semiconductor startup with operations in the Basque Country, Spain, and India, has unveiled ROBOTCORE UDP/IP, a breakthrough in robot networking communications. This FPGA robot core (IP core) represents an advancement in the existing ROBOTCORE series, aiming to redefine robot networking communications through hardware acceleration. By harnessing the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for Internet Protocol (IP) stack communications, this innovation sets a new standard for speed and reliability within robotic systems.
The ROBOTCORE UDP/IP marks a paradigm shift in the realm of robotics networking communications. Its exceptional capabilities enable the transmission or reception of small packages in under 1 microsecond (<700 nanoseconds for 8-byte payloads) and 1024-byte packets in just 3 microseconds, significantly outpacing conventional CPU-based solutions. This performance enhancement translates into an average latency speedup of over 19 times compared to traditional CPUs, reaching an 80-fold increase in scenarios demanding maximum latency for real-time compliance.
Pioneering features of the ROBOTCORE UDP/IP include microsecond-level speed, substantial latency reduction, deterministic networking abilities, and energy-resource efficiency. These aspects cater to real-time robotic applications while addressing the shortcomings of conventional robotic networking stacks, ensuring consistent and predictable communication performance in various settings.
The versatility of ROBOTCORE UDP/IP extends across diverse sectors where speed and reliability are paramount. Its applications span industrial automation, remote operation, autonomous vehicles, and research and development in robotics, offering seamless compatibility with FPGA and FPGA SoC solutions from prominent silicon vendors like Intel, AMD, or Microchip.
Moreover, the innovation is optimized to elevate Robot Operating System (ROS) and ROS 2 systems, significantly boosting real-time responsiveness while integrating seamlessly into existing ROS workflows. Víctor Mayoral-Vilches, CTO and founder of Acceleration Robotics, emphasized the product’s intention, stating, “ROBOTCORE UDP/IP isn’t just an innovation; it’s a fundamental shift in how we approach robotic networking. It unlocks new possibilities in the field, addressing challenges and setting new benchmarks for communication speed and predictability.”
