Patent Applications Filed for Capacitive Robot Drive Module
Developing Capacitive Drive Module for Robots as a National Project
"Rising Interest in the Use of Humanoid Robots"
Robot motion control specialist RS Automation is showing strong performance. While developing a capacitive-type driving module for robots as a national project, the company has completed patent applications for capacitive encoder technology, one of the robot module components, which appears to be influencing its stock price. RS Automation has filed a total of two related patents.
As of 10:41 AM on the 7th, RS Automation is trading at 16,990 KRW, up 5.79% from the previous day.
In 2023, RS Automation participated as a commissioned research and development institution in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' technology innovation development project titled “Development of a Driving Module for Robot Servo Motors Using Capacitive Encoders,” collaborating with Seoul National University, Chungnam National University, and others. Through this project, they have integrated core robot control technologies to develop an integrated driving module (smart actuator) equipped with encoders, drives, motors, and proprietary algorithms.
The capacitive encoder is a key component in various guided weapons such as the Israeli military’s air defense system 'Iron Dome' and domestic low-altitude interceptor missiles. Due to its resistance to vibration, radio interference, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and radio frequency interference (RFI), it is regarded as an essential part in the defense industry sector.
The capacitive encoder developed by RS Automation is 20-30% smaller in size and consumes about 10% of the electrical power compared to conventional encoders. Its small size and low power consumption make it highly valuable for various future advanced industries, including premium mobile robots and ultra-small drones, where these features are essential.
With the smooth development of the capacitive encoder, RS Automation plans to complete the development of frameless motors and DC drives to be mounted on the driving module this year and proceed to the final assembly of the driving module. An encoder is a precision sensor. The drive product that controls the motor needs to know the current position of the motor and send drive signals or movement commands to the motor. The encoder is the component that communicates with the drive product controlling the motor through signals such as communication or pulses, and relays the current motor status back to the drive. The encoder accounts for 30-50% of the motor price in motor configurations.
Kang Deok-hyun, CEO of RS Automation, said, “With humanoid robots equipped with smart actuators being selected as a national strategic project, the related market is expected to grow significantly in the future.” He added, “RS Automation will actively respond to demand through proactive development of capacitive-type robot driving modules and will become a market-leading company.”
Since its establishment, RS Automation has maintained close cooperative relationships with its former joint parent companies Rockwell and Samsung Group. Rockwell is an electrical components and equipment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, providing various industrial automation products and digital innovation products and services. In the year following its founding, 2010, RS Automation began joint development of 4th generation LCD logistics robot controllers with Samsung Electronics. It also collaborated with Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Aerospace) on the joint development of head amp sets for chip mounters. In 2014, it completed the development of a 21-bit rotation angle sensor SoC (System on Chip, a semiconductor integrating multiple functions into one chip) and module for robot actuators. In 2015, it registered a total of eight patents related to servo drives and robot control.
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