KUKA smartPAD Teach Pendant Modules: KRC2 KRC4 00-115-489 00-139-565 00-168-334

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

KUKA smartPAD Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The KUKA smartPAD teach pendant is the primary human-machine interface for KUKA KRC2 and KRC4 robot controller platforms, deployed across heavy industrial sectors including automotive body-in-white assembly, chemical processing plants, nuclear facility maintenance robotics, and petroleum refinery automation. With an installed base spanning hundreds of thousands of units globally, the smartPAD represents one of the most widely maintained operator interface components in industrial robotics. Its 8.4-inch touchscreen, integrated 3-position enabling switch, emergency stop circuit, and KUKA System Software (KSS) compatibility make it the reference standard for KUKA robot programming and runtime operation. Facilities running KUKA KR QUANTEC, KR AGILUS, KR CYBERTECH, and KR FORTEC series robots depend on smartPAD availability for both production continuity and scheduled maintenance windows.

The Evolution of smartPAD Architecture

KUKA's teach pendant architecture has undergone three distinct generations tied directly to controller platform transitions. The KRC1 era (mid-1990s to early 2000s) used a proprietary pendant with a monochrome display and dedicated hardware keys, communicating via a parallel interface bus. With the introduction of the KRC2 controller (2000–2010), KUKA transitioned to the KUKA Control Panel (KCP2), a color-display pendant using a CAN bus connection — part numbers in the 00-115-xxx range are associated with this generation. The KRC4 platform (2010–present) introduced the smartPAD (00-139-xxx and 00-168-xxx series), which uses a high-speed Ethernet-based KUKA Line Interface (KLI) and supports hot-plug capability, allowing pendant swapping without controller shutdown. The smartPAD Plus (introduced circa 2018) added a larger display and enhanced gesture support while maintaining backward compatibility with KRC4 controllers running KSS 8.3 and above. Compatibility between KRC2 and KRC4 pendants is not interchangeable at the hardware level; however, software-defined robot programs remain portable across platforms via KUKA WorkVisual migration tools. Facilities operating mixed KRC2/KRC4 fleets must maintain separate pendant inventories.

smartPAD Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following part numbers represent the verified smartPAD and associated KRC controller interface catalog. SKUs are classified by functional role:

Teach Pendants — KRC2 Platform

• 00-115-489: KCP2 teach pendant for KRC2 controller; CAN bus interface; color display; 3-position enabling device
• 00-109-548: KCP2 teach pendant variant for KRC2 edu; reduced-function training configuration
• 00-116-344: KCP2 cable assembly, 10 m; replacement connection cable for KRC2 pendant
• 00-130-293: KCP2 enabling switch assembly; replacement 3-position switch module for KRC2 pendant

Teach Pendants — KRC4 Platform (smartPAD)

• 00-139-565: smartPAD teach pendant for KRC4; Ethernet KLI interface; 8.4-inch touchscreen; hot-plug capable
• 00-168-334: smartPAD teach pendant for KRC4 compact / KRC4 smallsize; same interface standard as 00-139-565; optimized for compact cell integration
• 00-168-335: smartPAD cable, 6 m; standard replacement connection cable for KRC4 smartPAD
• 00-168-336: smartPAD cable, 10 m; extended-reach replacement cable for KRC4 smartPAD
• 00-177-296: smartPAD Plus teach pendant for KRC4; enlarged display; enhanced multi-touch; KSS 8.3+ required
• 00-177-297: smartPAD Plus cable, 6 m; dedicated connection cable for smartPAD Plus
• 00-177-298: smartPAD Plus cable, 10 m; extended cable for smartPAD Plus installations
• 00-185-388: smartPAD-2 teach pendant; KRC5 compatible; USB-C interface; backward-compatible mode for KRC4 with firmware update

Enabling Switch & Safety Components

• 00-139-566: Enabling switch assembly for smartPAD KRC4; 3-position safety device; IEC 60204-1 compliant
• 00-139-567: Emergency stop button module for smartPAD; field-replaceable; meets EN ISO 13850
• 00-168-337: Enabling switch for smartPAD compact variant; direct replacement for 00-168-334 installations

Controller Interface & Communication Modules

• 00-130-468: KRC4 smartPAD interface board; internal PCB connecting pendant port to KRC4 cabinet bus
• 00-115-490: KRC2 KCP interface board; internal PCB for KCP2 CAN bus termination within KRC2 cabinet

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete smartPAD Parts

The KRC2 platform reached end-of-production in 2013, and KUKA's official spare parts support for KRC2 components including the KCP2 pendant (00-115-489) entered a constrained availability phase after 2020. Facilities operating legacy KRC2 robots in continuous production — common in automotive stamping and foundry environments — face extended lead times through OEM channels. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested KRC2 and KRC4 smartPAD units sourced through authorized secondary market channels. For obsolete part numbers, DriveKNMS provides: (1) direct unit replacement from verified stock, (2) cross-reference matching to compatible successor part numbers where applicable, and (3) consignment evaluation for customer-owned units requiring refurbishment. All KRC2-era KCP2 pendants are assessed for CAN bus communication integrity and display backlight condition prior to dispatch. Customers operating under long-term service agreements (LTSA) for KUKA robot fleets are encouraged to establish blanket purchase orders to secure allocation of diminishing KRC2 pendant stock.

Quality Control for the smartPAD Range

KUKA smartPAD units present specific test challenges due to their integrated safety circuits, touchscreen digitizer calibration, and firmware dependency on the paired KRC controller version. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all smartPAD units prior to shipment:

• Communication verification: Each unit is connected to a live KRC4 test bench running KSS 8.6. Ethernet KLI link establishment, pendant recognition, and full operator panel function are confirmed.
• Safety circuit continuity: The 3-position enabling switch is tested across all three positions (off / first detent / second detent / released) using a calibrated safety relay tester. Emergency stop circuit open/close integrity is verified independently.
• Touchscreen calibration: Display touch accuracy is validated across a 9-point grid. Units with digitizer drift exceeding 3 mm are rejected.
• Firmware compatibility check: Pendant firmware version is read and logged. Units with firmware below the minimum supported version for KSS 8.2 are updated or flagged for customer review.
• Physical inspection: Housing, cable connector, and keypad membrane are inspected for mechanical damage. Cable strain relief integrity is confirmed.
• Burn-in cycle: Units are operated continuously for 4 hours on the test bench under simulated operator input to screen for intermittent faults.

© 2026 DriveKNMS. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice. Verify all parameters against official documentation before installation.