The inner workings of robots: Components and sensors

Every robot comprises a great deal of components and sensors. Batteries, charging, cameras, sensors, controllers, processors and everything in-between keeps robots working effectively and safely.

While the components won’t steal the show or generate the headlines or videos, these critical elements keep robots running.

We’ll learn about the “guts” of these robots, and how advancements keep these components and sensors at the forefront of innovation, without breaking the bank or scale.

Aditionally, we'll examine an in-depth look at early-stage robotics investment with Cybernetix Ventures. That article explores how funding and innovation are at the forefront of robotics in 2026, and also looks ahead to the future of investment in the automation world.

This Special Focus Issue explores the different components and sensors that work together to create functional machines, and their various deployments in real-world settings.

In this Special Focus Issue: 

• How Beckhoff Automation’s EtherCAT and controllers power Dexterity’s Mech ‘superhumanoid’ robot
• Festo gets a grip on AI-based picking
• The venture capital and investment view from inside robotics’ defining decade
• ... And more