https://arcbotix.com/blog/ Practical robotics engineering guides and niche technical deep-dives en-us Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:51 +0000 https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/servo-vs-stepper-vs-bldc-motor-robotics.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/servo-vs-stepper-vs-bldc-motor-robotics.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Compare servo, stepper, and BLDC motors for robotics: torque, precision, cost, and control complexity, with clear guidance on which to pick for your build. Hardware https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/slam-basics-for-mobile-robots.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/slam-basics-for-mobile-robots.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 SLAM basics for mobile robots explained: why mapping and localization are solved together, the main algorithm families, and common pitfalls in real systems. Software https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/pid-controller-tuning-for-robotic-arms.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/pid-controller-tuning-for-robotic-arms.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Learn how PID controller tuning works for robotic arm joints, with formulas, tuning methods, and practical fixes for overshoot, oscillation, and steady-state error. Control Systems https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/harmonic-drive-vs-planetary-gearbox.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/harmonic-drive-vs-planetary-gearbox.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Harmonic drive vs planetary gearbox for robot joints: how each works, backlash, torque density, stiffness and cost tradeoffs, with guidance on picking one. Hardware https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/imu-sensor-fusion-basics.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/imu-sensor-fusion-basics.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 IMU sensor fusion basics explained: why raw accelerometer and gyroscope data drift, and how complementary and Kalman filters combine them for stable orientation. Control Systems https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/ros2-nodes-and-topics-explained.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/ros2-nodes-and-topics-explained.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 ROS2 nodes and topics explained with real code: how publishers, subscribers, and the DDS middleware let robot software components communicate. Software https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/trajectory-planning-for-robotic-arms.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/trajectory-planning-for-robotic-arms.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Trajectory planning for robotic arms explained: joint-space vs Cartesian trajectories, trapezoidal and S-curve profiles, and how to avoid jerky motion. Control Systems https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/kalman-filter-robot-state-estimation.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/kalman-filter-robot-state-estimation.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 How the Kalman filter fuses noisy sensor data and motion models for robot state estimation, with the core equations and a worked example. Control Systems https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/quadrature-encoder-wiring-6dof-robot-arm.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/quadrature-encoder-wiring-6dof-robot-arm.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Wire and decode quadrature encoders for a 6-DOF robot arm: channel A/B wiring, CPR-to-angle math after gearing, debouncing, and index-pulse homing. Build Guides https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/choosing-a-battery-for-a-quadruped-robot.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/choosing-a-battery-for-a-quadruped-robot.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Learn how to size and choose a battery for a quadruped robot, covering chemistry, voltage, capacity, discharge rate, and mounting tradeoffs. Build Guides https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/inverse-kinematics-explained.html https://arcbotix.com/blog/posts/inverse-kinematics-explained.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:02:15 +0000 Inverse kinematics explained with math and code: how a robotic arm computes joint angles from a target end-effector position, plus common solving methods. Control Systems