# OSL emergency shut down button

**URL:** <https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [January 22, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180 "2026-01-22T20:25:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![malizade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@malizade](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/malizade)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/1 "2026-01-22T20:25:57Z")

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> Hi. How can we add an emergency shutdown button to turn off the motors through hardware or software?

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**Author:** ![malizade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@malizade](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/malizade)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/2 "2026-01-25T23:36:15Z")

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@senthur Do you use an emergency off switch at UMich? I would appreciate any insight on how to implement this. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![ldevillez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/opensourceleg.discourse.group/ldevillez/32/71_2.png) [@ldevillez](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/ldevillez)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:18am UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/3 "2026-01-29T08:18:22Z")

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Hello @malizadeNo emergency are used at UMich.

If I had to do it, I would add it between just before the actuator supply. Remember that a safety switch is not supposed to directly manage current and need to control a relay or transistors. Also wire it a NC configuration (so a cutted wire from your safety switch will also kill the power).

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**Author:** ![ldevillez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/opensourceleg.discourse.group/ldevillez/32/71_2.png) [@ldevillez](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/ldevillez)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/4 "2026-01-29T08:43:01Z")

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More infos here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpv7g0WLDYQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpv7g0WLDYQ)

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**Author:** ![malizade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@malizade](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/malizade)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/5 "2026-01-29T16:50:07Z")

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Thanks.

Without an emergency stop, do you use software signals (e.g., Ctrl-C) to stop running the code and the motors in case you need to quickly stop both motors?

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**Author:** ![ldevillez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/opensourceleg.discourse.group/ldevillez/32/71_2.png) [@ldevillez](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/u/ldevillez)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://opensourceleg.discourse.group/t/osl-emergency-shut-down-button/180/6 "2026-01-29T20:00:05Z")

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It can be done with software signals but in any case it is better to also use an emergency stop.