microservices are technical debt

Imagine that you are watching a well-designed robotic arm smoothly complete the assembly action, and each joint rotates with amazing precision. At this time, an alarm suddenly came from the control center - the response of a key module was delayed, and the entire production line was forced to suspend. What's the problem? Often it is not the hardware itself that is causing trouble, but the increasingly large and complex software architecture behind it. Some people call this phenomenon "microservices become technical debt." It sounds like a very technical statement, but to put it bluntly, the more the system is broken down into details, the more difficult it is to maintain.

This is not just a code level issue. When the software response fluctuates by even a few milliseconds, the servo motor may receive contradictory instructions, and the angular feedback of the steering gear may drift. It seems that the software is holding back, but in the end it is the hardware that takes the blame. Have you ever encountered high-precision components, but the overall performance never meets expectations? Many times, the root cause is here: the dialogue between the various parts of the system is not smooth enough, data circulates between different services, and the requirements for real-time control are weighed down by layers of delays.

How to crack it? The idea can actually be more direct - making the dialogue between software and hardware more "intimate" and more immediate. Instead of simply breaking services into smaller pieces, reassemble them around the actual needs of hardware control. For example, can motion control instructions reach the drive directly without going through multiple service relays? Can status feedback be sent back via the shortest path to reduce the parsing process? This may sound like subtraction, but the effects are often multiplicative.

kpowerWhen thinking about this type of problem, I like to start from a specific scenario: If a multi-axis mechanical system needs to be synchronized and coordinated, how should the microservice architecture be designed so that it will not hinder real-time performance? The answer lies not in completely abandoning microservices, but in redefining the boundaries of services - making each "microservice" truly correspond to a complete closed loop of control, from instruction issuance to execution feedback, and solving it in a closed loop as much as possible. It's like having an exclusive "conversation partner" for each key hardware action. The communication between them is short and efficient, and there is no need to go through layers of reporting.

What are the benefits of doing this? The most intuitive thing is that the response speed has increased. Because the data transmission path is shortened, the decision point is closer to the execution end, the servo motor can obtain clear instructions faster, and the position feedback of the steering gear can also be processed in a more timely manner. When a certain module of the system needs to be upgraded or adjusted, the scope of the impact will be easier to control, and the entire system will not be affected by one move. This kind of architectural adjustment is equivalent to sorting out a clearer "neural pathway" for a complex system.

Of course, changing the architecture requires courage, and you will also encounter doubts: Will this make the system rigid? In fact, when each functional module has a more independent control loop, the overall flexibility may actually increase. Because you can more safely perform or replace one of the links without having to worry about causing unpredictable chain reactions. This is like repairing a certain section of a bridge. If the structure of each bridge section is relatively complete and independent, the repair work will be more secure.

In advancing such improvements,kpowerPrefer a gradual approach. There is no need to reinvent the wheel overnight, but start with the most prominent performance bottlenecks and redesign the communication and processing logic of one or two key services. After verification, it will be gradually rolled out. During the process, the actual response of the hardware - such as the following error of the servo motor and the centering accuracy of the steering gear - is continuously monitored and real data is used to verify whether the architecture adjustment is in the right direction.

Some friends have also asked: "Is it possible to automatically solve this kind of problem using a specific technology platform?" In fact, tools are just tools, and the core lies in an in-depth understanding of hardware working methods and software scheduling logic. No technology can automatically bridge the gap between software and hardware. The real solution often comes from continuous observation and iteration of specific application scenarios.

At this point, you will find that the original sense of oppression of "microservices is debt" has gradually dissipated. Technical debt is not inevitable and can become a powerful asset when the software architecture truly respects the timescales and physical constraints of the hardware. It allows the potential of mechanical systems to be more fully unleashed, allowing the value of every precision component to be realized.

In the end, everything will return to the original goal: to make the machine you design move more accurately, more reliably, and more freely. When the dialogue between software and hardware is no longer full of noise and delay, technology is no longer a liability, but becomes a silent and solid foundation. On this road, continuous thinking and subtle adjustments are often more powerful than chasing dazzling new terms.

Established in 2005,kpowerhas been dedicated to a professional compact motion unit manufacturer, headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. Leveraging innovations in modular drive technology, Kpower integrates high-performance motors, precision reducers, and multi-protocol control systems to provide efficient and customized smart drive system solutions. Kpower has delivered professional drive system solutions to over 500 enterprise clients globally with products covering various fields such as Smart Home Systems, Automatic Electronics, Robotics, Precision Agriculture, Drones, and Industrial Automation.