

This is desirable as an operator trained on one generation of robots will have little trouble adapting to the newer generation designs. However, they have kept the UI relatively uniform in its structure, as well as the input keys on the teach pendant front. Adding larger, sharper color displays, overlaying with touchy screens, and generating a sleek UI are some of the changes made in the past 20 years. Over the years FANUC has upgraded the teach pendant with newer technology to make it more user-friendly.

While simulators are available for writing and testing programs, the Teach Pendant is the primary tool in which a robotic operator will create, test, and modify programs on the robot. It is a handheld device with a color touchscreen, a custom keypad, and various safety devices such as a deadman switch, emergency stop, and enable switch that can be swapped out with a key switch for security. The teach pendant is the main user interface for the FANUC robots.
