Automatix (software)

Automatix was an early integrated robotics software system, developed and marketed by Automatix Inc., a robotics company founded in 1980 by Philippe Villers and Michael Cronin. Intended for industrial automation, Automatix sought to provide a comprehensive solution for programming and controlling robotic systems, encompassing aspects of vision, motion control, and process management.

The core of the Automatix system was RAIL (Robot Automatix Incorporated Language), a high-level programming language designed specifically for robotics applications. RAIL aimed to simplify robot programming compared to earlier, more complex methods. It allowed users to define robot tasks in a more intuitive way, including commands for motion, sensing, and decision-making.

Automatix systems typically included vision systems for object recognition and inspection, as well as capabilities for coordinating multiple robots within a manufacturing cell. The software was targeted towards applications such as welding, painting, and assembly.

While Automatix was innovative for its time in offering an integrated robotics solution, the company faced challenges in the evolving robotics market. It ultimately ceased operations in the late 1980s. Although Automatix as a specific product is no longer in use, it represents a significant early attempt to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive software platform for industrial robotics, influencing the development of subsequent robotics programming environments.