Energid Releases Version 3.0 of the Actin Robot Simulation and Control Software Toolkit
Popular Software Toolkit Enables Powerful Robotic Systems
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Energid Technologies Corporation has released version 3.0 of its Actin software toolkit. Actin provides advanced control tools and digital simulation for roboticists.
Robots are growing in capability and economic impact. Much of this growth is driven by faster computer algorithms and software. Energid's Actin toolkit embodies this driving force.
Actin allows roboticists to design complex robots using Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs, quickly build powerful control strategies, then simulate the design's physics and control system in a relevant environment. With Actin, robot design iterations can be made in minutes rather than weeks.
New features in version 3.0 include Graphical User Interface (GUI) design tools with plugin support, grasping and manipulation scripting, tipping control for mobile robots, acceleration filtering and profiling, many new interface devices, more actuator types, advanced configuration using third-party tools, powerful techniques for dynamic collision avoidance, and faster algorithms for simulation and control.
"An example new feature in Actin 3.0 is tipping-prevention control," said David Askey, Chief Business Development Officer at Energid Technologies. "With this control mode, an arm on a mobile robot can be used to automatically keep the center of gravity over the center of the wheels while placing the end effector. This capability makes mobile robots more robust, safe, and effective over rough terrain."
Actin has advanced connections to CAD software. "Energid leverages its Solution Partnership with SolidWorks to enable powerful coupling between the two products," said James Bacon, Principal Software Engineer at Energid. "In addition to traditional joint kinematics and dynamics, SolidWorks can be used to define nontraditional joints, closed kinematic chains, and bounding volumes for collision-avoidance control."
Actin makes new robotics applications possible and fast. In hundreds of robotic systems, in domains ranging from medical applications to oil drilling to planetary exploration, Actin is advancing the state of the art and solving problems. The 3.0 release will accelerate application of the software by increasing the types of problems Actin can solve and decreasing time to market.
"A key to broad application of robotics is easy configuration and tasking," said Neil Tardella, COO at Energid. "Now Energid's customers have just that, through new graphical tools that easily define behaviors. No C++ is required."
About Energid Technologies
Energid Technologies develops robotic systems and products for the aerospace, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, defense, and medical industries. Energid's Actinâ„¢ and Selectinâ„¢ products provide advanced technology in the form of extensible software toolkits. Energid specializes in sensing, communications, control, and simulation for complex systems.
Featured Product

Midwest Motion Products is a leading provider of robust and reliable Motion Control Products.
MMP specializes in supplying high-quality Brushed & Brushless DC Motors & Gearmotors for Robotics and Automation Equipment with a wide range of motor windings and gear ratios. With an impressive track record of more than 8,000 released DC Gearmotors designs and over 2,000,000 individual part numbers, we are renowned for our ability to handle large-scale orders. Due to our huge on-hand inventory, we are also well known for lightning-fast delivery of our standard products. We take pride in our dedicated customer service and our team of knowledgeable sales and engineering experts who are ready to assist you with custom design solutions tailored to your specific application. Additionally, we also offer a wide range of complimentary products, such as DC Motor Controls, DC Linear Actuators, AC-DC power Supplies, and DC Servo Amplifiers and others.