OEM Custom Sensor Assemblies for Robotics and Cobotics Applications

For all their sophistication, static production line robots are conceptually ‘simple’. They typically perform one specific function: for example: cut, press, weld, or paint. The individual robot does not know the function it performs; nor the process that precedes or follows it; much less the concept of teamwork.

The real intelligence lies in defining the sequence of robotic actions, which is provided by human experts. And ‘finding a better solution’ is an innately human activity. The search for a more effective conceptual model for a robot is a fundamental issue. It impacts not just robot design but also practical operation. Interestingly, many models come from nature.

Behaviours observed among insects, for example, contribute to the controls for fetch-and-carry warehouse robots. Each individual robot follows simple rules to ensure it achieves its mission without getting in anothers’ way. The more sophisticated conceptual models use insights from observing swarms in nature – of insects, birds or fish – to enable individual robots to share information and co-ordinate their actions, for increased effectiveness.

The market potential for production line robots is constantly expanding. Robots that move stock around the factory floor are mainstream. In the search for increased efficiency, some vendors provide the ability to climb the shelves when picking stock; other have re-designed both the storage system and the robot that accesses it, to optimise use of warehouse space.

Follower robots can carry heavy loads (like burro for farmers, or gita for city dwellers). Autonomous robots are gaining traction – both on private industrial premises (like factories or mines or for cleaning warehouses) as well as public spaces, for activities such as delivery services. Meantime, other concepts have appeared and created additional opportunities such as mobile robots, aerial robots and soft robots. 

Will robots transform the world of work? They already have. Many activities that were repetitive, boring, uncomfortable or downright dangerous are already handled by robots. Meantime, human resources have been freed up, enabling people to do what they do best: create sophisticated and innovative solutions to challenging problems. It looks like that trend is set to continue. If we can increase productivity and bring about a more even distribution of wealth both within and between the different societies across the globe, a world with robots can definitely be a better place.