Abstract—Half a century has passed since the introduction of the first Unimate. Now robots finally have arrived in the minds (and projects) of creatives worldwide. This paper discusses issues concerning algorithmic and innovative offline programming of ABB robots in the context of artistic and architectural purposes. It compares existing software tools for generating RAPID code and introduces Boot The Bot – a standalone, cross-platform digital tool to generate or import points plus extra data and export valid RAPID code for immediate execution on ABB robots. This program is the basic software application for several projects and subsequent research themes in TU Graz’s field of expertise Resource-Efficient Non-Standard Structures. And it can operate live and online. 

Index Terms—project and practical application of Algorithmic Design, Digital and physical robotic interfaces, Robotics in art and architecture, 1:1 production, Java/Processing.

Cite: Richard Dank , "Boot The Bot: Java-based Simulation, Code Generator and Live Controller for ABB Robots," Journal of Automation and Control Engineering ,  ,, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 25-30,  March 2013. doi: 10.12720/joace.1.1.25-30