A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

A convertible I/O signal processor is convertible between different operating configurations for connecting multiple field devices to the I/O signal processor by selectable types of electrical connectors such as cables, terminal blocks, and the like. The I/O signal processor includes a signal processing module connected to a signal processor and an interface module removably connected to the signal processing module. The interface module includes electrical connectors for receiving/transmitting I/O signals from and to field devices. The interface module and the signal processing module define I/O channels extending between the electrical connectors and the signal processor. The interface module in embodiments includes I/O module connectors that enable removable I/O modules to be interposed in the I/O channels.

A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

A convertible I/O signal processor is convertible between different operating configurations for connecting multiple field devices to the I/O signal processor by selectable types of electrical connectors such as cables, terminal blocks, and the like. The I/O signal processor includes a signal processing module connected to a signal processor and an interface module removably connected to the signal processing module. The interface module includes electrical connectors for receiving/transmitting I/O signals from and to field devices. The interface module and the signal processing module define I/O channels extending between the electrical connectors and the signal processor. The interface module in embodiments includes I/O module connectors that enable removable I/O modules to be interposed in the I/O channels.

A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

A universal I/O interposer system for processing an I/O signal transmitted between an I/O field device and a controller, the system includes a base connected between the field device and the controller and a number of connector halves attached to the base. An interposer circuit carrier includes a corresponding connector half and includes a signal processing circuit for processing an I/O signal being transmitted between an I/O field device and a controller. An interposer circuit carrier can be changed without disconnecting the base from the field device or controller.

A terminal assembly module is provided that simplifies the transfer of I/O wiring from a pre-existing industrial controller to a replacement industrial controller. The terminal assembly module replaces an I/O module in the pre-existing industrial controller chassis. The I/O module terminal block, with I/O wiring maintained intact, is removed from the discarded I/O module and installed on the terminal assembly module. A multi-conductor cable is then plugged into a cable connector on the front of the terminal assembly module, which electrically connects the I/O module terminals to the conductors of the cable. The cable conductors can then be connected to the I/O modules of the new industrial controller. Thus, the terminal assembly module eliminates the need to disconnect the existing I/O wiring from the I/O module terminal blocks of the pre-existing industrial controller.