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Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI)

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The Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) is an open, manufacturer-independent standard designed to enable seamless integration and control of robots in PLC-based automation environments. It provides a consistent communication framework that simplifies the programming and operation of industrial and collaborative robots — regardless of the specific PLC or robot brand involved.

Its goal is to eliminate manufacturer-specific barriers and provide a consistent, unified interface for automation engineers working across different platforms.

At its core, SRCI follows a client-server architecture based on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) principle. The PLC acts as the client, sending command messages as simple byte arrays to the robot controller. The controller, acting as the server, executes the requested function and returns a response. This structure makes the protocol not only efficient but also flexible in terms of communication. Although SRCI is typically implemented over industrial fieldbus systems like PROFINET, its fieldbus-independent design allows it to be used with other communication protocols such as TCP/IP or OPC UA.

In practice, SRCI provides robot functions as function blocks within the PLC’s engineering tool. This allows users to develop the entire machine logic—including the robot program—within a single, familiar development environment. As a result, engineering complexity is reduced, commissioning is streamlined, and maintenance is simplified.

Moreover, SRCI-based systems empower users to design their own custom operator interfaces. This significantly improves usability and accessibility, both for machine operators and service technicians.

By adopting SRCI, automation projects benefit from:
  • A uniform interface for multiple robot brands

  • Reduced engineering and integration effort

  • Seamless PLC-centric robot programming

  • Increased flexibility and vendor independence

  • Improved maintainability and operator experience

SRCI is paving the way for a more open, standardized, and user-friendly approach to industrial robot integration in modern automation systems.

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