Harmonic Drive to Outline Integrated Actuators at RoboBusiness
An upcoming session at RoboBusiness 2026 will explore how integrated drive actuators combine gearheads, motors, drives, and sensors to simplify system integration for robotics developers.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Exploring Motion Architecture at RoboBusiness 2026
Selecting the right motion architecture remains one of the most critical design decisions in robotics development. At RoboBusiness 2026, Marcel Almonte, a mechatronics applications engineer at Harmonic Drive, will lead a dedicated session titled “Integrated Drive Actuator Design: Combining Gearheads, Motor, Drive, and Sensors for Smarter Motion.”
The event is set to take place on October 20 and 21 in Santa Clara, California. Almonte is scheduled to deliver his presentation on the first day of the conference at 10:30 a.m. PT, offering attendees a closer look at modern motion control options.
Component-Level vs. Integrated Actuator Architectures
During the session, Almonte will examine the operational tradeoffs between component-level and integrated actuator architectures. This evaluation aims to help engineers understand when each specific design approach delivers the ideal balance of performance, flexibility, and overall development efficiency.
Engineers frequently weigh the complexity of custom multi-component setups against pre-packaged alternatives. By addressing these design choices, the presentation provides a structured framework for selecting the most appropriate solution based on unique application constraints.
Reducing Engineering Effort and System Complexity
Attendees participating in the session will learn how integrated options, such as an advanced actuator design, can significantly reduce engineering effort. By simplifying system integration, these architectures minimize cabling complexity, shorten testing and commissioning timelines, and ultimately accelerate time-to-market for commercial developers.
Additionally, the presentation will offer practical guidance on choosing motion solutions according to specific application requirements, communication protocols, and performance targets. The goal is to equip roboticists with the knowledge needed to make informed design choices for next-generation hardware.
Speaker Background and Expertise
Speaker Marcel Almonte is a mechatronics applications engineer with a diverse background across multiple motion control application areas. At Harmonic Drive, his primary focus centers on the company’s Integrated Actuator product offering, encompassing direct customer support, application engineering, and software development tasks.
Almonte graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2022 with a degree in electro-mechanical engineering and a minor in applied mathematics. His professional experience includes working as a quality and safety engineer at Philips and serving as a field engineer at Alert Innovation, where he handled hardware and software troubleshooting.
Prior to joining Harmonic Drive, Almonte also worked with Infranor USA, a servo motor and drive sales office, assisting customers in finding custom motion control solutions. Today, his responsibilities include developing verification tests, troubleshooting system bugs, and collaborating closely with sales, design, and customer teams.
Event Details and Registration Information
RoboBusiness 2026 serves as a premier gathering for commercial robotics developers seeking insights from leading industry and artificial intelligence experts. The conference covers cutting-edge research, industry trends, and innovative applications across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.
Beyond technical sessions, the event features extensive networking opportunities designed to help professionals connect with peers and industry leaders. Interested participants can secure admission and access full event programming by choosing to buy your full conference pass, while group and academic discounts remain available.
Sources
- The Robot ReportHarmonic Drive to share how integrated actuators can reduce engineering at RoboBusiness
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