Weingarten/Augsburg, Germany, 2004-03-17 - KUKA Controls announced today the latest release of the real-time extension platform, CeWin®. This progressive software allows Microsoft Windows CE .NET® and Windows XP Embedded® to reside concurrently on a single CPU. Using Windows CE .NET® as the real-time back-end of Windows XP Embedded® eliminates the shortcomings and capitalizes on the advantages of each operating system.
The simultaneous use of two operating systems does not lead to any restrictions in real-time capability. Nowadays the performance of processors is sufficient enough to carry a second operating system without reducing functionality. At the same time, the user benefits from the ease-of-use and the numerous visualization capabilities as well as the availability of numerous applications resulting from the use of Windows XP Embedded®.
The use of only one PC component entails further advantages. “The operational and cost saving benefits are substantial,” said Gerd Lammers, Director of Sales and Marketing at KUKA Controls. “Customers appreciate the resulting reduction of cost, size and weight of the hardware systems used in various applications, as well as the higher reliability.”
For the 3.1 Version, CeWin® has been further improved and equipped with several new features. Amongst other things, it now supports Windows CE .NET® 4.2. Furthermore, it features an additional Shared Memory area that enables a quicker and easier data exchange between the two operating systems. An event-system has been added to facilitate full synchronization of Windows XP Embedded® and Windows CE .NET®. Also added to CeWin® is an integrated Web-server for administration of the system. A substantial progress has been made in terms of system reliability. If, e.g. through a faulty driver, a Windows XP Embedded® system exception occurs, Windows CE .NET® is notified by an event and real-time capability as well as latencies remain unchanged.
“CeWin® combines powerful and robust features of Windows XP Embedded® and the real-time capabilities of Windows CE .NET® deployed on a single computing platform,” noted Scott Horn, Director Embedded Devices Group at Microsoft. “The Windows Embedded family of operating systems offers KUKA the flexibility to combine the components it needs to provide maximum functionality to its users.”
About KUKA Controls GmbH
KUKA Controls GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of KUKA Roboter GmbH, the number one European industrial robot manufacturer and a part of IWKA AG Group. KUKA Controls specializes in real-time software, operating systems, motion control, graphical user interfaces (GUI), handhelds, dynamic algorithms, PC-based hardware development and application programming. KUKA Controls globally markets real-time extension technology for automation and robotics as well as test and measurement instrumentation, and medical devices and equipment. KUKA robot controllers are developed and produced for the parent company. For more information on KUKA Controls GmbH, contact Mr. Gerd Lammers, Director of Sales and Marketing. Tel: 49 751 561 22-55 or gerdlammers@kuka-controls.de. Online information can be viewed at www.kuka-controls.com
About KUKA Roboter GmbH
KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, is an IWKA Group company and is the world’s leading manufacturer of PC-based industrial robots. The company’s core competencies are the development, production and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software and linear units. In 2002, Company sales were $250 million Euro. For more information on KUKA Roboter GmbH, contact Mr. Jürgen Schulze, PR Manager. Tel.: 0821-4533–3473 or juergenschulze@kuka-roboter.de. Online information can be viewed at www.kuka-roboter.de or www.kuka.com.