An adapter in KOS is a software program that enables a physical device to communicate with the KOS backend through a socket interface. This is different from the USB/Serial communication that the device normally uses. The adapter acts as a mediator between the device and the backend Java application, and is responsible for converting data formats and protocols between the device and the KOS backend. This ensures that they can exchange information seamlessly.

In KOS, an adapter is a software program that provides the interface between a physical piece of hardware and the backend Java application. It is the "bridge" that translates the hardware’s USB/Serial communication to a socket interface required by the KOS backend.