Teknic's ClearCore Is a Stylish Arduino-Compatible IIoT Controller — and a Robot Bartender Proves It
Built around a Microchip SAM E53, this industrial-focused IO and motion controller includes some impressive capabilities in a small package.
Industrial IoT specialist Teknic has launched an industrial input/output and motion controller, dubbed the ClearCore — and has showcased its capabilities by building a robotic bartender.
Brought to our attention by CNX Software, the ClearCore is driven by a Microchip SAM E53 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller running at up to 120MHz, 192kB of static RAM (SRAM), and 512kB of flash plus a microSD slot for additional storage. There's a 10/100 Ethernet port, plus support for digital XBee modules to add wireless connectivity.
Programmed over USB and with an optional Arduino wrapper for Arduino IDE support, the controller offers 5V serial connectivity over two RJ45 connectors, three-pin terminal blocks with software-configurable input/output capabilities including support for driving loads of up to 9W directly from each, two H-bridge outputs for motors, four stepper/servo motor outputs, and LEDs for pin state and exception status across each terminal.
Supporting 12-24V DC power and with full voltage, current, and thermal overload plus electrostatic discharge (ESD), inductive flyback, and reverse-polarity protection, the controller comes housed in a surprisingly stylish polycarbonate and aluminium case measuring 12.7 x 8.9 x 2.54cm (around 5 x 3.5 x 1in).
To prove the device's capabilities, Teknic opted for a somewhat unusual demonstration: Building a fully-automated robotic bartender, driven by a single ClearCore. "It'll be great at Teknic company parties," the company notes, "once we can have them again."
The controller is now available from the Teknic website, priced at $149 for a single unit — though a time-limited offer drops that to $99, with additional discounts kicking in for orders of 200 or more ClearCore units.