A control system (100) for complex non linear machines including a clustered architecture comprising:
- a master controller (105), one or more cluster controllers (110) each defining a cluster, remote controllers (115, 150) and end effectors,
- a central control section including one or more first remote controllers, said first remote controllers being autonomous remote controllers (150) under direct control of the master controller and
- a distributed control section including said cluster controller (110) controlled by the master controller (105), wherein each of said cluster controllers controls the activities of one or more second remote controllers (115) in said cluster, each of the first and second remote controllers being utilized to drive one or more axes of end effectors of complex multi axis non linear machines,
wherein the master controller includes a processor configured to generate trajectories, run control algorithms and provide torque commands for implementation by the autonomous remote controller (150);
and wherein said master controller and at least said one or more cluster controllers are connected together to a communication network (120) of said control system and defines nodes of said network.