Which term describes the physical control device used to teach robots their tasks?

The term "teach pendant" refers specifically to a handheld physical control device used to program and teach robots their tasks. A teach pendant allows an operator or programmer to manually guide a robot through its movements and record the positions and actions required for specific tasks. This process is known as "teaching," and it enables the robot to learn and perform various operations dynamically.

Teach pendants typically feature a user-friendly interface, including buttons and joysticks, that provide the user with the ability to control the robot's movements accurately, even while in motion. By using a teach pendant, operators can manually adjust the robot's pathways and operations, record these inputs, and then save them as programmed routines for the robot to execute autonomously.

In contrast, the other options refer to different components or roles within a robotic system. For example, manipulators are the robotic arms or devices that perform physical tasks, power supplies provide the necessary electrical power for the robot’s operations, and processing units refer to the computing parts that process information and execute commands. These components all play essential roles in robot operation, but they do not describe the physical device used specifically for teaching robots their tasks as the teach pendant does.