teach pendant

[′tēch ‚pen·dənt] (control systems) A hand-held device used to instruct a robot, specifying the character and types of motions it is to undertake. Also known as teach box; teach gun.

teach pendant

A control box for programming the motions of a robot. Also called a "teach box," the robot is set to "learning" or "teach" mode, and the pendant is used to control the robot step by step. Teach pendants are typically handheld devices and may be wired or wireless.

A Teach Pendant

This Comau teach pendant is used to program various models of the robotic industrial machinery the company makes. (Image courtesy of Comau S.p.A., www.comau.com)