1. A method comprising: providing a semiconductor handling system including at least one robot and a plurality of process chambers; controlling the operation of the handling system with a software controller configured for employing a neural network and a finite state machine scheduler that provides controls signals to both of at least one of the at least one robot and the plurality of process chambers at least in part for effecting processing of at least one workpiece; and serially coupling the at least one robot, the plurality of process chambers, and the controller to each other in a daisy chain communicating relationship with an electronic interface including a shared medium.