Turning On and Signing In to the KUKA Arms

Owned by Courtney Morshed
Last updated: Jun 05, 2023 by Aaron Beebe

In this section, you will learn how to turn on and log into the administrator profile on the KUKA robots.


  1. This should only be done if you have permission from the Technology Lab Staff
  2. There are two KUKA robot computer cabinets, called controllers, one for each of the two robots. These are KUKA KRC4 controllers running KRC4 software on Windows XP.
  3. The controllers and robots are labeled "HAL" and "TARS" to show which one goes to which. The cabinet closest to the window corresponds to the robot arm closest to the window.
  4. Turn the appropriate controller on by rotating the switch to the vertical ON position
  5. The controller will now boot up. Sometimes the computer cabinet will start making a loud noise like a fan is going very fast inside of it. This is normal and usually only lasts a minute.
  6. There is a little, hand-held computer screen tablet that is attached to the controller by a cable. This is the teach pendant (or SmartPad) and is the main way you interact with the robot arms.
  7. Take the teach pendant out of its cradle and set it on the desk.
  8. You can either use the touch screen and on-screen keyboard on the teach pendant or plug in a usb hub with a keyboard and mouse. Using the keyboard and mouse can make your life easier but you can try both and see what you prefer.


Log on as administrator

  1. On the bottom right of the teach pendant is a small button with an icon of a robot. Click it.
  2. The screen this button takes you to is the Main Menu.
  3. Navigate to Configuration > User Group. You should be seeing the following screen
  4. These user groups are the types of people who might use the robot. Each has certain permissions. For example, you might want a person to be able to control the robot but not change settings, in which case they could use the "User" user group.
  5. We will click on administrator and, when prompted for a password, type in kuka and hit return.
  6. You are now ready to load a program and control the robot!