Welcome to the development resource hub for engineers, robot programmers, and software developers building solutions for Yaskawa Motoman robotics. Select a development track below to access documentation, SDKs, and native implementation tools.
The Motoman NEXT development track introduces Yaskawa's modern controller and pendant architecture, built to support flexible, high-level programming paradigms alongside traditional industrial reliability.
The Smart Pendant development track provides tools and frameworks to build custom HMI windows, interface panels, and templates directly within the pendant ecosystem. Leveraging Java, .NET, and Yaskawa Markup Language (YML), developers can create integrated user interfaces and package them alongside native robot assets using the Smart Packager utility.
Create custom HMI windows and integrated user interfaces directly within the Smart Pendant ecosystem. Build application that run on or interface with the Smart Pendant using native Java or .NET development tools.
API Reference:
View the Thrift based API Reference for the extension framework.
Yaskawa Markup Language (YML):
The foundational UI markup language for Smart Pendant extension applications. YML provides a subset of QML features for developers to create their very own UI built directly into the Smart Pendant interface. Easy editing is made possible with the use of syntax highlighting and autocomplete as a par of a VS Code Extension.
Example Code:
See a simple Java based example extension. Download the source code and walk through the steps to setup and run your first extension app.
To eliminate repetitive data entry, the Smart Pendant supports Preset Files (.yps), which store baseline configurations to serve as templates for new settings.
Create simple and easy to use HMI panels directly on the Smart Pendant. These Interface Panel Files (.ypn) are useful for displaying robot and application status or a space for basic user interactions.
Bundle your entire application stack, including INFORM jobs, I/O settings, MotoPlus applications, and Smart Pendant extensions, into a single Yaskawa Install Package (.yip) file using the Smart Packager utility for seamless end-user deployment.
The communication development track highlights core capabilities for connecting, communicating, and controlling your Yaskawa controller. Build custom desktop applications, high-level monitor utilities, or run native code directly on the robot controller.
A modern communication library to monitor and command Motoman robots from external PC applications.
Develop application binaries that run natively on the robot controller hardware.
Legacy Windows API library for remote communication and controller data collection.
The ROS Industrial development track introduces the capabilities of robot control via the ROS open source communication protocol. Connect your Motoman hardware to ROS for advanced path planning, research, and multi-vendor coordination.
Native micro-ROS implementation that instantiates a true ROS 2 node directly on the controller, eliminating the need for intermediary PC driver nodes.
Real-time industrial MotoPlus driver running on the controller. Used in conjunction with the motoman_driver package.
This track covers the options for native robot programming which can be performed via the programming pendant with no additional tooling or offline via external simulation tools like MotoSim EG VRC.
The native, deterministic robot programming language for Yaskawa Motoman controllers. Handles hard real-time motion profiles, system I/O, and core robot logic directly from the pendant interface.
INFORM Instructions:
The following list links to the available manuals for INFORM based on controller generation.
VS Code Extension:
Program INFORM offline with native IDE tools. Adding the power of syntax highlighting and some autoformatting tools. Do note that this extension does not fully validate the contents of an INFORM (JBI) file.
Motoman.com:
Visit our Motoman website for more information on all things Yaskawa Motoman.
Knowledge Center:
Read API references, installation manuals, and getting started guides.
Customer Portal:
Vist our Customer Portal to view your latest order, quotes, documentation, and more.
Documentation:
Read API references, installation manuals, and getting started guides.
Yaskawa Support:
Speak to one of our technical support staff. Available 24 hours a day.