Abstract: An operating unit for a programmable industrial robot. The operating unit includes a body and a display screen mounted on the body. The display screen is operable to present graphical information items, is capable of producing a display screen output, and an operator may make selections of the items presented on the display screen. A joystick ball is mounted on the body for controlling the robot during a programming phase during which the robot is taught to follow an operating path. The joystick ball has a joystick mounting means and is capable of producing a joystick ball output. A pointing device is removably mounted to the joystick mounting means and is capable of being used to make selections on the display screen. The display screen and the joystick ball are both capable of being coupled in data transmission relation to a processing unit wherein the screen output, the joystick ball output, or both the screen output and joystick output may be processed.