The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every aspect of life, as people around the world work from home, avoid public gatherings, and shelter in place. Hospitals in many regions have struggled to keep up with a surge of patients, while delivery services — especially those that provide food and medication — have become essential.

As healthcare and other service providers try to keep up with the demand, robotics is proving its value. Across industries, robots are being used to help maintain “social distancing” of staffers and customers or patients.

In addition, robots are not taking jobs but are alleviating the workloads of those most under pressure, such as nurses and doctors. The growth in robotics usage has been so sudden and widespread that the industry will be worth more than $23 billion by 2021, predicts ABI Research.

The novel coronavirus is spurring innovation, as well as more serious consideration of robotics applications. Here are more examples of how the robotics industry is responding to the pandemic.

Robots back up medical workers on the front lines

As the number of sick patients rises, some hospitals are being pushed to capacity, and most have struggled with shortages of trained healthcare workers. Staffers have been forced to make difficult decisions as they prioritize care for critically ill patients while trying to avoid infection themselves.

Hospitals looking for ways to relieve some of the pressure on staff and ensure that necessary tasks are completed have started looking to medical robots. For example, at Circolo Hospital in Lombardy, the Italian region hit hardest by the pandemic, administrators have turned to “robot nurses” to help care for patients.

Each of these donated robots comes equipped with a tablet and a patient monitor. The tablet allows patients to remotely communicate with doctors and nurses, reducing the risk of virus transmission. At the same time, the monitor keeps track of vital signs like blood pressure and oxygen saturation.

These measurements are critical in determining patient condition. By remotely recording them, the service robot can free up doctors and nurses to check on patients who need more immediate attention.

Unlike human nurses, the robots don’t need personal protective gear, like gloves or masks, when interacting with patients, and they can be easily wiped down. This is a crucial benefit for the Italian hospital system, which has struggled to source this equipment.

Pandemic accelerates adoption of mobile service robots

Other facilities that had already planned to use robots have introduced them early. Westport, Conn.-based Maplewood Senior Living fast-tracked a project to deploy caretaker robots from Temi Inc. at more than 14 of its homes as a result of the virus. These robots are designed to help meet residents’ needs during social distancing, when in-person visits are no longer allowed and travel may not be possible.

Each mobile telepresence robot is capable of delivering packages to rooms and collecting items. Like the robots at Circolo Hospital, they come equipped with a computer-screen face that allows residents to connect with relatives and doctors.

Other hospitals are acquiring robots to help with hygiene and sanitation efforts. In China, there has been a surge in demand for robots that clean hospital floors or that use ultraviolet lights to disinfect surfaces tto limit the spread of viruses such as COVID-19.

Mobile Industrial Robots ApS (MiR), which makes materials-handling robots, has seen a “many-fold increase in new demand from hospitals,” said Emil Jensen, vice-president of China sales at Odense, Denmark-based MiR. “A lot of people are calling us for the first time.”

Robots could check infrastructure — even plumbing

While it’s not clear whether or not it’s possible to catch COVID-19 through plumbing, there is some evidence based on previous outbreaks of other coronaviruses — like SARS — that COVID-19 may be spread through the sewage system.

The World Health Organization said that many modern water-purification techniques, such as chlorination and disinfection with UV light, can prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the plumbing system. They are generally effective at ensuring a community has clean water in a disaster, according to filtration company MECO Inc.

However, maintenance of central water purification may not be enough. Dry pipes and broken septic tanks may make sewage systems more susceptible to contamination. This means infrastructure maintenance may be even more important during the outbreak. Other plumbing issues, like leaky pipes, can also put a strain on water systems and cause significant amounts of clean water to be lost.

Robots can be helpful here. Some companies have already deployed robots for detecting leaky pipes. Boston-based Watchtower Robotics Co. was working to commercialize a technology that won a James Dyson innovation award in 2018.

Such robots may be effective as a kind of plumber’s assistant, identifying common issues with building pipes and sewage systems and reducing the amount of time plumbers need to spend on call, where they could contract or spread the coronavirus.

Robotic, drone deliveries get another look during pandemic

As shops close, urban traffic lightens, and most governments encourage citizens to limit their outings, delivery services have become a lifeline for many people. However, even the limited contact among people in warehouses or between a delivery driver and a customer can put both parties at risk.

In response, several companies have begun fast-tracking or expanding their use of ground robots to reduce the risk of spreading disease while making deliveries. They include Starship Technologies, Nuro, and Neolix, which raised Series A+ funding last month.

Companies that offer delivery via autonomous drones have also seen a significant uptick in demand. Wing Aviation’s drone-delivery service has become a popular alternative to other methods in rural Virginia.

The unit of Google parent Alphabet has been using drones to fly out food, medications, and other essentials such as toilet paper to homebound individuals. The pandemic has helped some drone companies such as Wing, which was surprised at the “uptake of customers” following Virginia’s shelter-in-place order, said Alexa Dennet, Wing’s head of marketing and communications.

Wing has already made more than 1,000 deliveries, and while its services are currently limited to just a few locations, the company hopes to expand within the U.S. and globally.

The call for presentations for the 2020 Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum is currently open.

Pandemic’s effects on robotics still to be seen

From telepresence to security, robots have been in the news, but long-term shifts in development, funding, or deployment have yet to be seen. Industrial automation has slowed down with manufacturing. However, many factories and warehouses are considering collaborative robots and mobile platforms to help keep human workers at safe distances while maintaining or restarting operations.

Even as the COVID-19 crisis inevitably passes, it’s likely that social distancing will remain an option amid fears of reinfection and future pandemics. More companies have realized that robots can increase efficiency and protect health by limiting human contact in certain tasks, such as food handling and preparation.

Hospitals are among the organizations using robotics and artificial intelligence not just for cleaning or materials handling, but also to improve business processes. Will some of the investments in self-driving vehicles be redirected toward service robots and drone deliveries?

In the past several years, the adoption of automation has coincided with low unemployment. Even though more labor is now available, hygiene concerns and the chronic lack of workers in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and transportation will continue to drive commercial robotics.

As the pandemic continues and forces continued social distancing, more organizations will be willing to apply automation to new challenges. Robotics developers that help meet this demand and serve public needs should find success.

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Mobile robot applications such as order fulfillment require purpose-built robots such as CarryPick. Source: Swisslog

Thanks to cheaper sensors, advanced navigation software and communications, and growing user awareness, deployments of mobile platforms grew last year. 2020 will be no different, as developers refine mobile robot applications in manufacturing, retail, customer service, and more.

Broadly speaking, autonomous mobile robots can carry out a variety of tasks with a minimum of human input, and many are designed to operate safely around people. Amazon’s Kiva robots are a well-known example. They play a crucial role in the e-commerce giant’s order-fulfillment process, zooming around company warehouses to find products and bringing them to the necessary drop-off stations.

Thanks to these market-defining robots, Amazon can fill more orders faster than ever before, with a remarkable degree of accuracy.

2020 is sure to be an incredible year for robotics adoption, especially for mobile platforms. Amazon will be using 120,000 robots by the end of this year, and the global market for mobile robots will surpass $3 billion, predicts Ash Sharma, research director at Interact Analysis.

Here are just some of the places where one can expect to see mobile robots in 2020.

1. Mobile robot applications in medical facilities

Nurses and other medical professionals spend a lot of time running back and forth around medical facilities, doing things like tending to patients, grabbing supplies, and answering doctors’ calls.

Mobile robots can alleviate much of this legwork. They could move patients, gather and transport supplies, assist with surgical procedures, and even disinfect rooms. Robots could reduce the amount of tedious tasks, reduce workplace strain and injuries, and ensure more consistent quality of care.

For instance, the Texas Medical Research Innovation Institute in Houston has tested ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot as a roving laboratory technician. The two-armed mobile robot can carry out tasks like pipetting liquids, sorting test tubes and carrying equipment.

According to ABB’s performance data, YuMi can help speed up hospital and research lab operations by as much as 50%, working a full 24 hours a day.

Not only can mobile robots accelerate healthcare operations, but they could pave the way for genuinely continuous, all-hour coverage. Nurses and doctors need to rest, but mobile robots do not.

2. Hospitality and customer service

While chatbots and software-based communication tools have been a staple of the hospitality and retail industries for years now, the technology has leaped into more physical forms. From Japan’s robot-staffed hotel to Rollbot, which can bring guests a roll of toilet paper, mobile robot applications promise to improve customer experiences.

With shortages of personnel, such robots can help attend to customer needs. Imagine robotic bellhops that can bring your luggage to your room, round-the-clock room service (perhaps supplied by a robotic kitchen), or autonomous shopping carts that will drive themselves around a store.

For another real-world example, Travelmate has created a robot suitcase that will follow on your heels, allowing for hands-free travel experiences.

At CES 2020, Ubtech’s Cruzr service robot was among the many designed for customer service robot applications.

3. Mobile robot applications in agriculture

In the past year, farmers and agribusinesses have started turning to mobile robots to maintain, measure, and harvest fresh produce, among many other applications.

Cambridge Consultants’ Mamut autonomous robot is one such machine, designed to explore active fields and capture useful data, which can help improve crop yield. Because the data collection process is fully automated, it eliminates the need for farmers and crews to pore over fields.

Mamut is more useful than drones because it’s ground-based for greater endurance, and it can collect more information.

Whether on their own, as enhancements to existing equipment, or in combination with aerial drones, mobile agriculture robots can help handle pest infestations, measure soil quality and pesticides, and harvest fruits and vegetables.

4. Warehousing and order fulfillment

From the factory to order delivery, many links in supply chains are being automated. After Amazon acquired Kiva Systems, many other robots offer to serve warehouses and order-fulfillment businesses. They include 6 River Systems’ Chuck, Locus Robotics’ LocusBots, Swisslog’s CarryPick, and Hitachi’s Racrew.

From mobile carts that accompany human pickers to more autonomous systems that move around warehouses on their own, there is an incredible variety of mobile robots in supply chain and logistics today.

In addition to retailers such as Best Buy, Shopify, and Walmart gaining greater efficiency and visibility into their operations, customers can also reap the benefits of robotics. They include shorter e-commerce order fulfillment, more accurate picking, and possibly even decreased shipping prices.

5. Package delivery

For a couple of years now, companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS have been working on drones for local package deliveries. Safety and regulatory concerns, a variety of competing alternatives, and technical challenges have slowed progress.

Still, mobile robots and drones could not only speed up delivery times, but they could also reduce the environmental impact of the many trucks on the road.

For instance, Amazon has unleashed a small army of wheel-based delivery robots called Amazon Scout. It’s not a stretch to predict that there will be much more of this over the coming year, particularly from some of the other companies in the shipping field.

FedEx already has an autonomous delivery robot in use, and it first appeared in the summer of 2019. While UPS has not yet followed suit, other companies have, including Starship Technologies, grocery brand Kroger, General Motors, and DoorDash’s Nuro.

6. Mobile robots for education

A wide variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) kits are intended to inspire young people (and adults) and help them learn how to code.

Ozobot, for example, is designed for use in educational environments, aimed at teachers and students alike. The robot will react to colors and lines drawn on a tablet, paper, or even custom surfaces. It can also play games with users, many of which explore the concepts above.

As technology has become an incredibly vital part of modern life, many more educational applications will appear over the coming year.

8. Disaster recovery and emergency response

Australia’s massive fires are just the latest disaster to remind us of the need for societal resilience and the possibilities for automated threat response. Mobile robots can enter spaces the average human cannot, as well as endure direct exposure to hazardous chemicals, heat and flames, and even widespread debris. Robotics is ideally suited for disaster recovery and emergency rescue situations.

From underwater recovery and firefighting to ambulatory operations — much like Zebro can do — autonomous robots could swarm into the field to save human lives. The deployment of mobile robots in 2020 could enhance human survivability.

Designing for mobile robot applications in 2020

Based on the sheer number of applications that currently exist for mobile robots, the future is bright. While many mobile robot applications share the same bases, robotics developers should be aware of each one’s needs for precision and safety, the degree of uncertainty in its environment, and intended payloads and interoperability.

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MAV3K provides heavy duty capacity for manufacturers. Source: Waypoint Robotics

Unlike automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots can navigate through facilities without additional infrastructure, such as tracks or guides. Among the developments in robotics, 2019 has been a particularly fascinating year for showing what’s possible with AMRs.

Here are six of the most notable applications involving autonomous mobile robots. (See also The Robot Report‘s issue on mobile robotics.)

1. Improvements in autonomous product deliveries

Companies are working hard to figure out how to task mobile robots with delivering goods without human help. Autonomous mobile robot vendor Nuro has grocer Kroger as a client, and Walmart is ready to roll out the service to a test group of customers in Texas. In a Medium post, a Nuro representative explained how the self-driving electric vehicles complement Walmart’s supply chain.

On a related note, MIT researchers have developed a new navigation method for autonomous mobile robots. It does not require mapping out an entire area in advance, but instead allows the robot to use environmental clues to find its way to the desired location, such as a person’s front door.

2. Medical facilities find more uses for mobile robots

Robotic equipment is commonly used in hospitals to help with things like lifting patients or assisting with surgeries. ABB recently launched its dual-arm autonomous mobile robot called YuMi. In addition to assuming laboratory tasks like pipetting liquids or sorting test tubes, the company’s technology can also deliver medication to patients or transport bed linens. ABB’s data indicates repetitive tasks could get done up to 50% faster with help from automation.

Diligent Robotics is another company bringing autonomous robots to health care. It recently completed beta testing on its robot named Moxi, which assists nurses with tasks such as retrieving or delivering items. When a robot takes care of those unskilled nursing tasks, providers can focus on more advanced, rewarding work.

3. Amazon demonstrates what’s possible with AMRs

Amazon has substantially revamped supply chain management. Better automation is one of the ways it succeeds in that ongoing aim. Although the e-commerce giant had previous robot developments, 2019 demonstrated that it has no intention of slowing down.

For example, in January, news broke that the brand implemented special vests for workers to wear in more than 25 of its fulfillment centers. They allow AMRs to detect humans from further away, then adjust their paths sooner to avoid collisions. Amazon also acquired Canvas Technology for its safe navigation technology and announced an innovation hub to open in Massachusetts.

Another one of Amazon’s moves this year was Pegasus, an autonomous robot that drives around a warehouse to pick up and deliver single packages to the right places. That system reportedly reduced incorrectly sorted goods by 50%, and did so while maintaining safety standards.

4. Enhanced possibilities for applying mobile robots in agriculture

Although the agriculture sector was not among the early adopters of mobile robots, that started to change in 2019. A prototype robot called Mamut uses artificial intelligence to collect data to keep farmers better-informed. The machine can make real-time route changes based on things such as changes in crop growth.

Since the robot operates below the vegetation canopy, it gives a different perspective than drones can. Farmers could use Mamut to receive early warning signs about things like pest infestations and plant diseases. The bot can also collect data that gives better visibility into estimated yields.

5. Mobile robots become easier to set up and maintain

An analysis from 360 ResearchReports valued the autonomous mobile robots market at $180 million in 2017, but it expects the worth to reach $600 million by the end of 2025. Moreover, the statistics anticipated a combined annual growth rate of 15.9% from 2019-2025.

One of the likely reasons for that popularity is that autonomous mobile robots are especially easy to use and integrate into the workflow. For example, Waypoint Robotics launched MAV3K, which comes equipped with software to set up the robot in under 15 minutes. There is also no need for a person to remember to charge the mobile robot at certain times, either. It has a wireless system that enables the machine to charge itself when needed.

6. Companies find practical ways to address labor shortages with AMRs

Autonomous mobile robots are ideal for companies that want to keep efficiency levels high. Solving the labor shortage with this technology was another of the recent robot developments. 2019 was particularly successful for Cabka, a company that manufactures 5,000 pallets per day by running a 24/7 plant. The process involves recycling plastics into pallets and similar products used in industrial settings.

The work is physically demanding and repetitive, making it hard to find and keep workers. A MiR500 robot from Mobile Industrial Robots help pick up the slack by being a central component of a fully automated production line. It carries stacks of finished pallets. Cabka plans to automate 11 of its lines with AMRs.

People at the plant said they were impressed with MiR500’s payload capacity. They also said they like how it remains steady even though the facility that uses it is an older one that has uneven floors.

An exciting year for mobile robots

As this list shows, there have been many things for people in the commercial robotics sector to stay abreast of this year. They should anticipate more of the same in 2020 and that the developments in the coming year will complement those seen here.

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While robots and artificial intelligence aren’t yet the equal of human physicians, they can assist with more accurate diagnoses, providing remote care through telepresence, and conducting precise minimally invasive surgical procedures.

To be successful, developers must identify the types of operations where robots can be helpful, as well as address concerns about safety, security, regulatory compliance, and affordability and commercial viability. Here are some examples of surgical procedures that can now include robotic assistance.

1. Taking out brain tumors

The placement and size of brain tumors can have life-changing consequences for patients. For example, a tumor left untreated may cause facial paralysis and deafness. It can also lead to the loss of the ability to swallow and balance. Since the brain is such a delicate and vital area, precision is crucial.

Some surgeons use robots to assist them with brain tumor removal procedures. In one recent case involving a teenage patient, a doctor used a high-tech robotic microscope during surgery. The doctor said the tool has a robotic arm, a GPS component that shows where his tools are, and a heads-up display with a better view of the area during the operation.

The patient was back to her typical life only six months after surgery. She said she’s doing better than before the procedure happened.

Corindus Vascular Robotics recently completed the first in-human, robot-assisted stroke intervention, as well as multiple remote surgeries.

2. Surgical procedures on the retina

Surgical procedures to correct vision are exceptionally delicate, and robots can help with parts of the operations. For instance, Netherlands-based Preceyes’ system went into a clinical trial phase in 2016. With it, a surgeon can use a joystick to operate a robotic arm during procedures the retina, located at the back of the eyeball.

In the 12-patient trial, each person needed a surgical procedure that removed a membrane from the retina. Half of them got a conventional surgery, while the others received the robot-assisted technique.

For the latter group, the surgeon inserts a robot through a tiny incision slightly below the pupil. All the surgeries were a success, but the research showed that robots boosted effectiveness in some cases.

3. Total knee replacements

Severe arthritis can make it painful for patients to move and do many activities. One option is a total knee replacement, whereby metal and plastic components replace the arthritic joints.

During a complete knee replacement, the surgeon addresses all three components of the knee. This intervention is often best for people who have severe arthritis, deformities, or issues with improper alignment.

When orthopedic specialists perform orthopedic surgeries with robots, they typically use an arm to shape the surrounding bone. Then, they insert an implant that replaces the affected part of the knee. Video feedback enables surgeons to confidently manipulate the robot through areas that are hard to see.

One example is the MAKO robotic arm from Stryker Corp., which was used in more than 76,000 knee and hip replacements last year.

Last month, Think Surgical received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its TSolution One system for total knee replacement.

The Robot Report is launching the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum, which will be on Dec. 9-10, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference and expo will focus on improving the design, development, and manufacture of next-generation healthcare robots. Learn more about surgical robotics at the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum, and register now.

4. Surgical procedures on the spine

Research and development phases for new robotic tools can last years, hindering adaptation. Yet after the first successful surgery with a robot, people started to get excited.

In early 2019, one patient received the spinal surgery involving a robot. The person needed treatment to correct scoliosis, which causes the spine to curve. The system offers 3D surgical planning to help with the pre-operative stage. Plus, it has robotic guidance and navigation technology to make operations more accurate and reduce the risk of complications.

A robotic arm helps with each step of the operation. Moreover, a complementing imaging component gives real-time feedback. Nottingham Trent University is developing a system to correct scoliosis using two Universal Robots collaborative robot arms.

In addition, Medtronic launched its Mazor X Stealth robot-assisted spinal surgery platform early this year. It also released its Hugo system in September.

5. Operations on the heart

Surgical specialists depend on robot-assisted heart surgeries for many reasons. For example, robots can fix valves in the heart, take out cardiac tumors, and treat defects. Because of this technology, some procedures on the heart are less invasive, which speeds the recovery time and reduces the chances of complications.

In a particularly impressive achievement, surgeons used the CorPath GRX from Corindus Vascular Robotics to perform remotely controlled surgical procedures. The medical specialist used several joysticks to control the robot while being miles away.

In one set of operations, five patients needed stents put in their hearts to accommodate narrowed blood vessels due to plaque buildup. They all recovered from the procedure with no complications and were discharged the next day.

6. Removal of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids develop inside the womb, often in women of childbearing age. When the tumors are small, they typically cause no symptoms. As they get larger, however, a patient may experience issues like abdominal and back pain, heavy menstrual cycles and excessive urination.

In one patient who had a uterine fibroid removed with a robotic procedure, her only symptom was an expanding waistline. She found out about the fibroids during a routine gynecology visit. The patient had a so-called “keyhole” procedure, where the robotic system took out her fibroid. The process required five incisions, and the surgeon sat at a console to operate the arms.

This approach can shorten the average recovery time by several weeks, notes the Mayo Clinic, but the FDA cautions that specialized training is required for cancer treatment. The patient described above was discharged sooner than those who get conventional procedures.

Robots show promise for surgical procedures

This list highlights examples of how robot-assisted surgical procedures can help physicians improve the delivery of care. Any surgery has associated risks, but the application of machine vision and AI, robot arms with precise end effectors, and carefully designed human-robot interfaces can “democratize” specialist abilities.

After years of few challengers to Intuitive Surgical Inc.’s da Vinci system, investors and physicians have noticed surgical robotics’ potential. The global market for surgical robots will grow from $3.9 billion in 2018 to $6.5 billion in 2023, predicts Markets and Markets, while Data Bridge Market Research forecasts growth from $6.7 billion in 2018 to $19.4 billion in 2026.

Providers of surgical robots including Stelkast, CMR, and Titan Medical raised funding, and Stryker acquired two companies in September. Healthcare startups and providers will put this funding to use to further develop and test their systems, and more operating rooms will make use of robots to assist in the operating room.

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Hitchiner Manufacturing says that automation is helping to retain talent. Source: Hitchiner Manufacturing

Is robotics important to the future of manufacturing? Given the current and future talent gap in the sector, signs point to “Yes.”

As of August 2018, as reported by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, the U.S. had 508,000 jobs available in manufacturing. They called this the best jobs gain in the industry in over two decades.

However, this opportunity will soon start looking more like a potential crisis for employers. The report predicts 4.6 million jobs — a mix of new positions and exiting retirees — to fill between 2018 and 2028, with only 2.2 million of them “likely” to be successfully filled. The following is a look at six ways advanced robotics are already picking up the slack.

1. Robots eliminate unpopular work and reduce turnover

One of the challenges faced by Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. in Milford, N.H., was that newly hired skilled and semi-skilled machine operators often didn’t make it through their first day. Applying robots saved the company money — around $180,000 per year — and it took people out of the equation for repetitive manufacturing tasks, like placing metal parts in machines for processing or finishing.

Part of the savings Hitchiner enjoys comes from lower rates of employee turnover, which can be costly. In one study of manufacturing companies, 43% of respondents indicated their operations were sitting at 20% turnover per year or even higher. Industrial automation can help cut down on that churn and save jobs.

2. Robots make existing talent more useful

In an industry where skilled workers are both more valuable and scarcer than ever, companies need to find “force multipliers” for existing talent. Doing so helps lift employees into higher-paying and more compelling positions. This, in turn, improves employee engagement.

Waypoint Robotics Inc. is a good example of how robotics developers and suppliers can aid manufacturers with robots. The company recently moved from Merrimack, N.H., to a space three times larger in Nashua, N.H., to have space to meet demand.

“Businesses of all sizes are having trouble attracting and retaining talent,” said CEO Jason Walker. From collaborative robot arms to autonomous mobile robots, automation enables companies of all sizes to repurpose their existing workforce, which is already spread thin.

Waypoint Robotics CEO Jason Walker and the new MAV3K mobile robot.

“I go from a shipping and receiving clerk to also being a robot wrangler,” said Walker, as he described new roles for employees. “I add a new and valuable skill to the company. … I have Industry 4.0 talents.”

Waypoint both exemplifies and serves lean manufacturing by doing as much as possible with as few resources as possible. In this case, the resource is talent.

3. Robots improve safety for human talent

Private industry in the U.S. reported 2.8 million non-fatal illnesses and injuries in 2017. Manufacturing alone contributed 115,500 incidents of days away from work in 2017, or around 93 cases for every 10,000 employees. The perception that working in a factory offers high risks for low rewards is one challenge for staff recruiting and retention.

In addition, people are more likely to be bored and make mistakes with certain tasks. “If a job is repetitive and boring, human workers tend to make a mistake, whereas robots can do these things the same way time after time,” said Frank Hearl, chief of staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Arla Foods in Götene, Sweden, identified a cheese-packing station as particularly likely to result in productivity-disrupting repetitive strain injuries. It used eliminated potential injuries from that process by using an ABB robot that performs as much work as two employees used to, in the same amount of time.

4. Drones can provide agility at every stage of production

Deloitte last year identified drone data coordinator as one of a handful of new positions opening up as robotics literally take off in manufacturing. Unmanned aerial vehicles can play a role in multiple stages of production:

• Drones can efficiently and safely locate raw materials out in the field by performing lower flyovers than planes.
• Drones can transport materials, tools, and other assets within manufacturing plants by using vertical space and keeping out from underfoot.
• Drones provide considerable opportunities in automated inventory management when combined with bar codes, QR codes or RFID tags.

The agility of drones, whether in the field or within a manufacturing facility, can take manufacturing by storm. For instance, a Spanish car manufacturer called SEAT uses drones to carry automotive parts between production and assembly plants.

This particular fetch-and-carry task once took humans an hour and a half or longer, but drones can do the same work in a quarter of an hour. It’s a perfect example of using robots to provide speed and agility while employees pivot to more cognitively demanding work.

5. Autonomous trucks keep parts moving

The American Trucking Association predicts the U.S. will see its truck driver shortage double in the next 10 years. Demand for freight services has softened slightly amid ongoing global trade tensions, but the talent crunch remains.

Automotive and technology companies are working quickly to solve or at least partially alleviate this problem. Locations throughout the U.S. are actively engaged in on-road testing for self-driving semi trucks.

Daimler’s and Torc Robotics’ on-road testing program in Virginia provides one example of such a collaboration, and Daimler has acquired Torc.

While some estimates predict that fully autonomous trucks could eliminate some 294,000 driving jobs, the American Trucking Association said the industry will fail to fill 160,000 trucking jobs in the coming decade.

The talent shortage in logistics would directly affect manufacturers. Trucking companies transport more than 70% of all manufactured goods in the U.S. Autonomous trucks are very much an extension of robotics in manufacturing.

6. Robots can improve accuracy and error rates

The manufacturing industry relies on precision and generally has a low tolerance for errors. For those reasons, Kay Manufacturing began leveraging collaborative robots at its facility in Calumet City, Ill.

Thanks to improvements in machine vision and pathfinding, cobots have improved awareness of their surroundings in comparison with previous-generation robotics. They’re also capable of carrying out highly detailed and accurate inspections.

Applying just one cobot to a parts inspection process helped Kay Manufacturing repurpose three employees at a time into better-paying roles. Critically, Kay says it hasn’t laid off a single worker since it began incorporating robotics back in 1996, and it bought Universal Robots’ 25,000th robot arm.

Kay Manufacturing won the UR “Golden Cobot” award for North America. Source: Universal Robots

Robotics can bridge talent gap for multiple industries

Manufacturing isn’t the only critical sector experiencing a talent shortage. The health care sector is another. People currently employed in these industries might be worried about robots taking over their jobs, but the examples here show their livelihoods are probably safer than they realize.

As robotics spreads into new manufacturing applications, we’ll see new roles for employees emerge even as robots perform many existing functions faster, more safely, and more accurately.

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The SAM100 bricklaying robot at the Brighton Health Center South site of the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers. Source: Construction Robotics

Until recently, construction was one of the least digitized and automated industries in the world. Many projects could be completed more efficiently with the help of the right construction robotics, mainly because the related tasks are incredibly repetitive.

While manual labor will likely always be a huge component of modern construction, technology has been steadily improving since the first pulleys and power tools. Robots, drones, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, and exoskeletons are beginning to help get the work done. With low U.S. unemployment and shortages of skilled labor, automation is key to meeting demand and continued economic growth.

“Construction robots may be involved in specific tasks, such as bricklaying, painting, loading, and bulldozing. We expect hundreds of AMRs in the next two years, mainly doing haulage,” said Rian Whitton, an analyst at ABI Research. “These robots help to protect workers from a hazardous working environment, reduce workplace injuries, and address labor shortages.”

Many potential solutions rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver unprecedented levels of data-driven support. For instance, a driverless crane could transport materials around a worksite, or an aerial drone could gather information on a worksite to be compared against the plan.

Here are just a few examples of how robotics is transforming construction.

1. Construction robotics can build walls

An example of how construction robotics are revolutionizing the industry can be seen in the HadrianX bricklaying machine from Australia-based FBR Ltd. (also known as Fastbrick Robotics). It employs an intelligent control system — aided by CAD — to calculate the necessary materials and movements for bricklaying.

Hadrian also measures environmental changes, such as movement caused by wind or vibrations, in real time. This data is then used to improve precision during the building process.

While Hadrian does require the use of proprietary blocks and adhesive, FBR noted that the related materials are “12 times bigger than standard house bricks” and are lighter, stronger, and more environmentally sustainable.

Robots like Hadrian and SAM100 from Victor, N.Y.-based Construction Robotics promise to reduce operating costs and waste, as well as provide safer work environments and improve productivity. Hadrian can build the walls of a house in a single day, which is much faster than conventional methods.

2. Autonomous equipment doesn’t need an operator

While the major automakers and technology companies are working on self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles are already part of construction robotics.

Such equipment can transport supplies and materials. For instance, Volvo has been working on its HX2, an autonomous and electric load carrier that can move heavy loads without additional input. It has no driver cab and instead uses a digital logistics-driven control technology backed by what Volvo calls a “vision system” to detect humans and obstacles while on the move.

Another company, Built Robotics, which last month raised $33 million, offers autonomous bulldozers and excavators. AI guidance systems direct the equipment to their destinations and ensure that the necessary work is completed safely and accurately.

Autonomous vehicles and construction robotics is not intended to replace manual labor entirely, but to augment and enhance efficiency. Safety is vastly improved as well, as we eliminate the potential for human error.

3. Smart robots employ imaging technology

Construction robotics and drones using sensors such as lidar with Global Positioning System technologies can provide vital information about a worksite. Along with AI, it can help predict what tasks are required.

Doxel Inc. makes a small tread-based robot that does exactly that. It scans and assesses the progress of a construction project by traversing the site. The information it collects is used to detect potential errors and problems early.

Doxel’s data is stored in the cloud, where it’s filtered through a deep-learning algorithm to recognize and assess more minute details. For example, the system might point out that a ventilation duct is installed incorrectly, and the early detection can allow for the proper correction well before costly revisions are needed.

4. Operate construction robotics remotely

Humans are still in the loop for much of construction robotics, combining the strengths of human supervision with multiple technologies. The Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, and digitization are contributing to the industry’s growth, noted Caterpillar.

Painting drones are an excellent example, since they can be controlled via tablet or smartphone via an app, and they can report on the data they gather that’s analyzed in the cloud.

Remote-control technology can also be applied to semi-autonomous vehicles. Project managers can use it to deliver instructions and orders to their workforce instantly.

Barcelona-based Scaled Robotics offers construction robotics that can be remotely controlled by mobile devices. The company’s Husky unmanned ground vehicle can roam a construction site and capture critical information via multiple sensors. The data is transferred to the cloud, where it’s used for building information modeling (BIM) of the project.

5. Conduct surveillance, surveying, and inspection

Before, during, and after a construction project, many assessments require the review of a worksite and surrounding area. Limited surveillance is also necessary for supervising workers and securing the site. In addition, project managers and supervisors must walk the site to conduct final inspections. Construction robotics and drones can help all of these processes.

Aerial drones and ground-based robots can survey a worksite and gather multiple types of data, depending on the sensors used. Augmented reality and virtual reality can enable operators to get a realistic and real-time feel for what the drones are seeing.

While donning a VR headset, for instance, viewers can see a live feed of captured video from the drone. More importantly, that immersive experience is provided remotely, so project managers don’t even have to be on the job site to get an accurate assessment. The video feed is also recorded for playback at a later time, providing yet another resource.

Companies are already using drone technology to this end. In 2018, Chinese drone maker DJI announced a global partnership with Skycatch for a fleet of 1,000 high-precision custom drones to create 3D site maps and models of project sites.

Automation is the future of construction

The global market for construction robotics also represents a huge opportunity for developers and suppliers. It could grow from $22.7 million in 2018 to $226 million by 2025, predicts Tractica. Research and Markets estimates that the market will grow to $126.4 million by 2025.

According to the International Federation of Robotics and the Robotic Industries Association, the construction robotics market will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% between 2018 and 2022. Research firm IDC is more bullish, predicting a CAGR of 20.2%.

Automation and digitization are driving a revolution in the construction industry, which has historically been slow to adopt new technologies. From design through final inspection and maintenance, the full benefits of construction robotics have yet to be realized.

The post 5 ways in which construction robotics is disrupting the industry appeared first on The Robot Report.

Although Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration almost two decades ago, surgical robot adoption has been slow, partly because of technical limitations and the high demand for precision. Advances in processing and better data analysis could help make robotic surgery more effective.

Robots that mimic a surgeon’s hand movements can unintentionally retain hand tremors or shakes, making incisions less precise. Plus, slow connections have made remote operations difficult — until now.

AI-powered diagnostics and surgical robotics

Artificial intelligence in healthcare used to be limited to research or creating training tools for surgeons. AI can now increasingly help improve robot-assisted surgery.

AI can also lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatment. With better data monitoring, doctors can determine risks to patient health that they might not otherwise catch. Robot surgeons could soon use AI and healthcare data, like medical imaging or X-rays, to automatically diagnose patients without a physician.

Robots with AI are already assisting surgeons with microsurgery. For example, researchers at the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands used an AI-assisted robot to suture microscopically small blood vessels — some as small as .03 millimeters across.

The robot replicated the surgeon’s hand movements at a miniature scale. AI was used to normalize those movements and prevent tremors or sudden motions from transferring to the surgical robot. The procedure was successful.

Baltimore, Md.-based Galen Robotics is working on similar technology for otolaryngology procedures based on research at Johns Hopkins University (see video above).

Some surgical robots run off a preset routine. They’re not wholly autonomous, and surgeons still need to monitor operations and verify that procedures get carried out correctly. They can also adjust the routine if necessary.

However, scientists at Stanford University claim that AI will make fully-autonomous surgical robots possible by the end of the century.

Telemedicine and remote healthcare

Even if Moore’s Law is broken, computing speeds have accelerated steadily, while data-transmission speeds have not. With 5G wireless networking, telemedicine is becoming possible for the first time.

Telemedicine can be a life-saver when patients need immediate care, but no doctor is available. In rural areas, when specialized care is unavailable, this technology can save lives.

In addition, with augmented reality and virtual reality, surgery and interactions between patients and doctors could acquire a new dimension.

Telemedicine and remote, robot-assisted surgery require networks that can support real-time, high-quality video and audio. In many cases, 4G speeds aren’t enough to support telemedicine. Connection speeds limit telemedicine to wired access, making it less useful in rural areas with underdeveloped internet infrastructure.

5G promises to increase network speeds to nearly 20 times faster than 4G. The technology will likely increase the reach of online programs, allowing patients quicker access to doctors, or the ability to talk to specialists, when none were previously available.

Telesurgery and real-time feedback

While some kinds of remote healthcare are possible with slow connections, surgeons see their procedures as too risky. Still, one of the first remote surgeries was performed back in 2001, when two surgeons in New York performed successful gallbladder surgery on a patient in Strasbourg, France.

Advances in telesurgery lagged after this initial breakthrough. Gallbladder surgery was chosen to be one of the first remote surgeries because it is relatively straightforward, and live audio and video streams from the operating room were costly to transmit. Surgeons feared that more complicated procedures either weren’t possible with existing technology or would be too costly for most hospitals.

More recently, surgeons in China monitored three remote orthopedic surgeries with surgical robots and 5G. Each robot conducted a preset surgical routine, while the surgeons watched a video feed of the broadcast online.

In February, a team of Spanish doctors directed surgery live from the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona. In this case, the doctors provided advice, warned about potential complications, and drew diagrams over a live video feed of the surgery. The images drawn were instantly broadcast to a screen in the operating room.

The ability to instantly transmit the drawings is a major advancement. “Before 5G, we had to freeze the image to draw,” one of the doctors said, “but the surgeon is moving on, and that is not ideal.”

The next month, a Chinese surgeon performed remote brain surgery on a patient with Parkinson’s disease more than 1,800 miles away. It was the first brain surgery performed over 5G and was followed by other procedures in China, India, and Spain. So far, however, 5G telesurgery hasn’t arrived in U.S., partly because of the a slower rollout of 5G there compared with China.

Surgical roboticists and healthcare professionals hope the technology will slowly become more robust. Eventually, these robots should allow specialized surgeons to perform surgery in rural locations without the need to travel.

A physician prepares for a robotic surgical procedure using the CorPath GRX. Source: Corindus Vascular Robotics

Better data protection needed

Unfortunately, privacy concerns have slowed the adoption of mobile and digital tools to manage client data. In 2017, Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) paid $5.5 million in fines to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after more than 115,000 patient records were improperly accessed.

As personal data becomes more valuable, and cybercrime becomes a more significant threat, hospitals and healthcare providers may become more cautious when it comes to trusting third-party software with health data.

Still, there have been relatively few healthcare data breaches, and the benefits for patients may outweigh the potential risks.

Still, telesurgery providers have yet to fully address security holes that might slow down technology adoption. While no hacker gained access to a robot during an actual operation, researchers at the University of Seattle hijacked a telesurgery robot called Raven II in 2015. The researchers cautioned that wireless connections — like those over 5G — are more vulnerable than wired connections.

The Robot Report is launching the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum, which will be on Dec. 9-10 in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference and expo will focus on improving the design, development, and manufacture of next-generation healthcare robots. Learn more about the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum, and registration is now open.

Better data and healthcare robotics

As robots become more common in assistive, therapeutic, materials handling, and surgical uses in healthcare, they will increasingly rely on AI for better data management and analysis. Procedures once considered impossible could become a reality with more flexible surgical robots.

China, South Asia, and Europe have taken the early lead with telemedicine and telesurgery. In the U.S., the FDA has been cautious because of concerns about safety and security, but several systems are in the works and have been submitted for approval. As 5G and robotic surgery trials continue, the technology could spread and become commercially successful.

In the not-too-distant future, you may not need to travel far from home to receive help from a medical specialist. Robotics could allow doctors to once again make house calls.

The post How better data, 5G, and surgical robots will improve healthcare appeared first on The Robot Report.

Robosuit uses heat-resistant materials in a protective covering for robots. Source: Roboworld

The exterior of a robot might come as an afterthought to some robotics developers, but your choice of materials will affect its safety, durability, and even aesthetics. Any design project should include considerations of how a robot will move, whether it will operate around people, what tasks it will perform, and the anticipated environment.

Other considerations include ease of cleaning and repair, weight (which affects overall power requirements), design for manufacturing, and, of course cost.

Collaborative robot arms, or cobots, are very different from autonomous underwater vehicles, aerial drones, or other field robots. A robot that works inside an MRI machine must be made of certain materials, while a stationary robot in a factory may need other characteristics.

Here are some of the materials to keep in mind when designing and building robots.

1. Steel

Steel is one of the materials used most often by robot builders. This sturdy metal is a smart choice if you’re building a robot that needs to stand up to harsh conditions. It’s possible to harden the steel to between 100,000 and 300,000 pound-force per square inch (psi) in many cases.

If you plan to harden the steel, look for some with high carbon content. Usually, the more carbon that steel contains, the more suitable it is for making harder through heat treatments.

Ultra-wear resistant kinds of steel are also available, as well as steel that stands up to frequent impacts. Bear in mind that this material can be challenging to work with if you don’t have the proper tools, such as those used for welding. That’s especially true if you need to make the steel conform to a particular shape to streamline your robot’s body.

Russia’s Uran-9 robotic tank obviously has steel construction, and its problems in the field were because of communications problems, not materials.

2. Rubber

Demand is growing for commercial robots with flexible exteriors, such as human-like “skin.” Moreover, it’s advantageous for cobots that work alongside humans to have soft surfaces. Rubber and soft plastics can meet that goal.

At the University of Houston, a research team used a rubber composite material to make a semiconductor. The electronics retained functionality even after researchers stretched the rubber by 50%. Working with traditional semiconductors while building robots is tricky because they’re easy to break — certainly not an ideal characteristic for a robot that needs to flex.

While showing off their work, the researchers designed a robotic skin that can sense the temperature after being immersed in a cup of water. Then, to prove the breadth of potential applications of the project, they made the hand able to receive computer signals and reproduce them as American Sign Language.

Teams at Stanford University and the National University of Singapore are also working on robots with polymer skins for a sense of touch.

Even if your robot has a rubbery exterior, it typically houses hard components inside it, including processors and actuators. However, a more recent project involved engineering a soft robot with a computer also made from rubber.

Robots with rubber bodies are typically safer than those made from harder materials. Plus, they work well for handling delicate products like fruit. Soft Robotics’ grippers conform to such objects in pick-and-place tasks without damaging them.

At some Disney theme parks, robots interact with guests, and there are plans to eventually expand upon animatronics that are behind glass or removed from people to the point of robots that walk around the parks. It’s easy to see why rubber and plastics are useful for robots that are both lifelike and safer to operate around people.

3. Aluminum

Although aluminum has a higher price point than steel, it’s easier to shape and is lighter. Aluminum is also a good material if you’re worried about a robot’s exterior becoming rusty over time because aluminum does not rust. However, because it can corrode in some wet environments, you might consider treating the surface to give it more protection against possible corrosion.

Another thing that makes aluminum a popular option for robot exteriors is that it can be polished to a high shine. So, if you’re building a commercial robot that your client will eventually want to show off, aluminum makes the body look nice while offering ample durability. You can also work with specialists that provide aluminum polishing technology with three-way machines, which enable programming to meet double-sided processing needs.

Some designers also use aluminum on robot bodies to protect more fragile parts. In one example, Italian scientists made a robot strong enough to pull a 7,200-pound airplane down a runway. The robot, which had four electric motors, four hydraulic actuators and a pair of computers, housed its parts in an aluminum roll cage.

4. Kevlar

Kevlar is a synthetic fiber frequently used for bulletproof vests. Some of its characteristics make it worth evaluating for robot exteriors, too. You could use it as a covering on robots that require safeguarding from extreme temperatures. Many heat-resistant gloves feature Kevlar because the material does not melt or drip when exposed to hot environments.

Also, Kevlar does not degrade in Arctic temperatures of -50 degrees Fahrenheit, nor do cryogenic conditions adversely affect the fibers.

Roboworld Molded Products LLC makes Robosuits — many of which contain Kevlar — to protect sensitive parts of your robot’s exterior in demanding temperatures. While Robosuits are custom-designed depending on needs, one that includes Kevlar would be suitable for a welding application.

The Robosuit fits over the robot’s body without affecting its articulation or reach. This easy-to-use protection could maintain the robot’s functionality by helping it tolerate exceptionally hot or cold temperatures.

Without a covering like these Kevlar designs, cold temperatures can adversely affect the grease or other lubricants for internal parts, while heat can make motors get too hot and shut down. An external cover keeps the robot within its recommended operating temperature range by giving radiant heat protection.

5. Biodegradable ‘smart’ materials

The materials mentioned above are all relatively easy to source and have different levels of durability depending on the need. However, you may not know about efforts to create biodegradable materials.

Researchers in Italy have ways to create robots from bioplastics composed of food waste.

Since most conventional plastics contain petroleum — a substance that contributes to climate change — researchers think their alternative would help the planet, especially in seafaring probes.

In addition, these so-called biodegradable smart materials are versatile. Scientists have created a robot skin from them and said the bioplastics could be hard enough for internal parts, as well.

In the U.K., experts at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory have worked on a robot that decomposes after completing its mission. It might assist with a search-and-rescue effort at a disaster site and start breaking down its body afterward. Then, humans would not have to find and retrieve the robots, and the biodegradable materials wouldn’t harm the planet.

Investors and developers have become increasingly aware of the need for eco-conscious and sustainable robotics development. Recycled materials and biodegradable plastics would go a long way to helping them achieve that goal.

The right materials for the robot job

This is just an introductory list to some of the most commonly used materials for robot exteriors. Of course, the material a robot uses will depend primarily on its purpose. For instance, materials used in robot-assisted surgery must be able to withstand rigorous sterilization techniques. In this case, a polymer like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) would fare far better than a material that can’t stand up to medical requirements and regulations.

Some soft robotics materials can even “feel” pain and heal themselves.

Robots used in clean rooms, food handling and aquatic settings also have special needs to consider. A buoyant robot, for example, will require a lightweight and water-resistant material. On the other hand, a biomimetic robot would need a soft and flexible substance that can grip and move around comfortably. Reflecting on these unique demands is a crucial part of the creation process.

The Robot Report has launched the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum, which will be on Dec. 9-10 in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference and expo focuses on improving the design, development and manufacture of next-generation healthcare robots. Learn more about the Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum.

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Stanford University researchers have developed a lithium-ion battery that shuts down before overheating. Source: Stanford University

Overheating can become a severe problem for robots. Excessive temperatures can damage internal systems or, in the most extreme cases, cause fires. Commercial robots that regularly get too hot can also cost precious time, as operators are forced to shut down and restart the machines during a given shift.

Fortunately, robotics designers have several options for keeping industrial robots cool and enabling workflows to progress smoothly. Here are four examples of technologies that could keep robots at the right temperature.

1. Lithium-ion batteries that automatically shut off and restart

Many robots, especially mobile platforms for factories or warehouses, have lithium-ion battery packs. Such batteries are popular and widely available, but they’re also prone to overheating and potentially exploding.

Researchers at Stanford University engineered a battery with a special coating that stops it from conducting electricity if it gets too hot. As the heat level climbed, the layer expanded, causing a functional change that made the battery itself no longer conducive. However, once cool, it starts providing power as usual.

The research team did not specifically test their battery coating in robots powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, it noted that the work has practical merit for a variety of use cases due to how it’s possible to change the heat level that causes the battery to shut down.

For example, if a robot has extremely sensitive internal parts, users would likely want it to shut down at a lower temperature than when using it in a more tolerant machine.

2. Sensors that measure a robot’s ‘health’ to avoid overheating

Commercial robots often allow corporations to achieve higher, more consistent performance levels than would be possible with human effort alone. Industrial-grade robots don’t need rest breaks, but unlike humans who might speak up if they feel unwell and can’t complete a shift, robots can’t necessarily notify operators that something’s wrong.

However, University of Saarland researchers have devised a method that subjects industrial machines to the equivalent of a continuous medical checkup. Similar to how consumer health trackers measure things like a person’s heart rate and activity levels and give them opportunities to share these metrics with a physician, a team aims to do the same with industrial machinery.

A research team at Saarland University has developed an early warning system for industrial assembly, handling, and packaging processes. Research assistants Nikolai Helwig (left) and Tizian Schneider test the smart condition monitoring system on an electromechanical cylinder. Credit: Oliver Dietze, Saarland University

It should be possible to see numerous warning signs before a robot gets too hot. The scientists explained that they use special sensors that fit inside the machines and can interact with one another as well as a robot’s existing process sensors. The sensors collect baseline data. They can also recognize patterns that could indicate a failing part — such as that the machine gets hot after only a few minutes of operating.

That means the sensors could warn plant operators of immediate issues, like when a robot requires an emergency shutdown because of overheating. It could also help managers understand if certain processes make the robots more likely to overheat than others. Thanks to the constant data these sensors provide, human workers overseeing the robots should have the knowledge they need to intervene before a catastrophe occurs.

Manufacturers already use predictive analytics to determine when to perform maintenance. This approach could provide even more benefits because it goes beyond maintenance alerts and warns if robots stray from their usual operating conditions due because of overheating or other reasons that need further investigation.

3. Thermally conductive rubber

When engineers design robots or work in the power electronics sector, heat dissipation technologies are almost always among the things to consider before the product becomes functional. For example, even in a device that’s 95% efficient, the remaining 5% gets converted into heat that needs to escape.

Source: Advanced Cooling Technologies

Pumped liquid, extruded heatsinks, and vapor chambers are some of the available methods for keeping power electronics cool. Returning to commercial robotics specifically, Carnegie Mellon University scientists have developed a material that aids in heat management for soft robots. They said their creation — nicknamed “thubber” — combines elasticity with high heat conductivity.

A nano-CT scan of “thubber” showing the liquid-metal microdroplets inside the rubber material. Source: Carnegie Mellon University

The material stretches to more than six times its initial length, and that’s impressive in itself. However, the CMIU researchers also mentioned that the blend of high heat conductivity and the flexibility of the material are crucial for facilitating dissipation. They pointed out that past technologies required attaching high-powered devices to inflexible mounts, but they now envision creating these from the thubber.

Then, the respective devices, whether bendable robots or folding electronics, could be more versatile and stay cool as they function.

4. Liquid cooling and fan systems

Many of the cooling technologies used in industrial robots happen internally, so users don’t see them working, but they know everything is functioning as it should since the machine stays at a desirable temperature. Plus, there are some robots for which heat reduction is exceptionally important due to the tasks they assume. Firefighting robots are prime examples.

One of them, called Colossus, recently helped put out the Notre Dame fire in Paris. It has an onboard smoke ventilation system that likely has a heat-management component, too. Purchasers can also pay more to get a smoke-extracting fan. It’s an example of a mobile robot that uses lithium-ion batteries, making it a potential candidate for the first technology on the list.

There’s another firefighting robot called the Thermite, and it uses both water and fans to stay cool. For example, the robot can pump out 500 gallons of water per minute to control a blaze, but a portion of that liquid goes through the machine’s internal “veins” first to keep it from overheating.

In addition, part of Thermite converts into a sprinkler system, and onboard fans help recycle the associated mist and cool the machine’s components.

An array of overheating options

Robots are increasingly tackling jobs that are too dangerous for humans. As these examples show, they’re up to the task as long as the engineers working to develop those robots remain aware of internal cooling needs during the design phase.

This list shows that engineers aren’t afraid to pursue creative solutions as they look for ways to avoid overheating. Although many of the technologies described here are not yet available for people to purchase, it’s worthwhile for developers to stay abreast of the ongoing work. The attempts seem promising, and even cooling efforts that aren’t ready for mainstream use could lead to overall progress.

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(Credit: Intuitive Surgical)

Robots were once considered capable of handling only the simplest repetitive tasks, but in the past several years, improvements in sensors, motion control, and machine learning have made robots and cognitive systems ever more flexible. They are already helping human users in manufacturing, precision agriculture, and disaster recovery.

In addition to hardware and software improvements, automation is benefiting from the ability to collect, analyze, and share big data through cloud computing and the Internet of Things.

Even in use cases where people have been reluctant to adopt new tools because of regulatory hurdles or concerns about the amount of technical training required, such as among some physicians, robotics’ potential is becoming obvious. Designers and developers of robots and related technologies should be aware of these opportunities and build with different user communities in mind. Here are six industries most likely to increase their adoption of robots in the next five years.

1. Medical and healthcare

Robots are already assisting surgeons around the world. In fact, BIS Research has pointed out that surgical systems retain the highest share of the medical robotics market. Other types of robots in healthcare include systems for pharmaceuticals testing and dispensing, materials handling and disinfecting in hospitals, therapeutic and wearable devices, and robots and AI for diagnosis.

Surgical robots can improve the accuracy of movements, reduce potential errors, and reduce recovery times and the risk of complications. However, the technology is being applied to a relatively limited set of procedures — abdominal, cardiac, orthopedic, spinal, and some neurosurgical.

The engineers developing and supporting surgical robots need to understand the specific application. For instance, consider a device to enable a surgeon to remotely make minimally invasive incisions. It doesn’t replace the doctor, but handles precise movements to relieve the cognitive load.

Not only must developers build and test the software, but they also need to create the necessary software for the desired levels of precision and autonomy. What controls and user interface are needed? What network infrastructure must one have for a reliable connection and real-time adjustments?

Not only should roboticists work closely with doctors, but they should also factor in interoperability and the intended use for the surgical system as the market grows.

2. Agriculture

Automation has been part of agriculture for many years, but it’s now evolving and growing, thanks to precision agriculture using drones and AI data analytics, as well as continuing labor shortages, particularly for fruit picking. The hardware engineers and software developers who take advantage of these trends driving field robotics will be successful.

The number of agricultural robots shipping will reach 727,000 units per year by 2025, predicts Tractica Research.

Robots are already helping milk cows, plant and monitor crops, and manage harvests. The Internet of Things (IoT) is not limited to factories and warehouses, as robots, autonomous vehicles such as tractors, and drones must be reliable, affordable, and easy to use and upgrade.

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3. Consumer and household

Smart speakers, smart vacuums, and smart homes are just the beginning of automation for consumers. Connectivity to the Web and other devices, natural-language interfaces, and an ecosystem of useful applications are key enabling technologies.

Although social robots have had problems competing with existing systems such as smartphones or Amazon Echo and Google Home, several companies are working on domestic robots. Such robots could do more than answer queries, with programming to allow people to age in place, educate children, and actually interact with their environments and users to prepare meals or clean.

Husqvarna, iRobot, and Worx are offering autonomous lawn mowers that are essentially like Roombas for the outdoors.

As with any other application, consumer-focused robotics will need software, mapping and connectivity, and data platforms to drive their operation. It’s all in the code, as they say. It will be up to developers to find unique approaches to common household chores.

Entertainment is yet another aspect of consumer robots, some of which will likely have humanoid limbs made possible through pneumatic systems. Imagine an android assistant that can carry objects and would be useful just about anywhere.

4. Automotive and transportation

Despite safety setbacks, ongoing design challenges, and public skepticism, self-driving cars, trucks, and buses are on their way, as both major automakers and tech firms invest heavily and hire engineers away from other aspects of robotics. Beyond Tesla’s autonomous mode, robots are also useful for testing and manufacturing next-generation vehicles.

Yamaha’s MOTOBOT, for instance, is a humanoid robot that rides motorcycles and is expressly designed to collect real-time information about each experience. The data is then used to enhance and develop new vehicles. Self-driving fleet vehicles such as buses and trucks are more likely in the short term than affordable, individual passenger cars.

The sensors, AI processors, and other systems that will bring autonomous vehicles to the roads still need refinement, economies of scale, and standardization and regulatory compliance, guaranteeing demand for developers for years to come.

5. Emergency and first response

Mobile robots can be used in place of human first responders to sift through the wreckage after a hurricane, tornado, or other disaster. Drones can spot survivors after a flood or earthquake, or even navigate underneath a collapsed structure.

These are not unlike the robots used in military and law enforcement fields. They can either be autonomous and capable of acting without human input or controlled remotely via proprietary navigation systems. They can also actively fight fires, relay medical supplies, or help with cleanup.

In either case, developers will need to plan for every possible contingency which might mean spending some time out in the field to understand how these devices can aid people in disaster scenarios.

6. Military and law enforcement

As with some of the industries mentioned above, military and law enforcement authorities have also recognized the value of robotics. Adoption in this sector is likely to continue growing, as robots expand beyond those used for explosive ordnance removal and surveillance.

Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and many other companies all work on military-grade robots, unmanned systems, and AI that can help in active combat on land, in the air, and in the water. Small drones can be deployed alongside robots for intelligence gathering and situational awareness, which is also useful in law enforcement situations. And every offensive technology has a defensive counterpart.

The promise of drones, ground robots, and some exoskeletons is to relieve personnel of certain burdens while enhancing their safety.

Developer demand to increase

It’s easy to see from this list just how widespread the demand for advanced robotics really is. But to bring robotics, AI, and unmanned systems into fruition, entrepreneurs and engineers need to build out the foundational technologies. Each application requires a specific set of hardware, user interfaces, and software stack, especially as demand for autonomy grows. Naturally, it means robotics developers are in high demand, and that trend will continue far into the future.

The post 6 industries where demand for robotics developers will grow by 2025 appeared first on The Robot Report.

Robotics applications such as construction require specific robots such as SAM. Source: Construction Robotics

Thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning, robots have become more aware and more autonomous than ever. They’ve already transformed many industries, from manufacturing to retail. Before robots can enter new markets, however, developers need to hone their software and hardware for the specific robotics application. A generic camera, gripper, or program might not be suitable, and a robot might even need to be redesigned to complete certain tasks.

Robotics engineers and suppliers have done some amazing things, but we still have a long way to go before users can expect ubiquitous intelligent systems. This begs the question: Which robotics applications can benefit the most from new technologies? How are AI-enabled systems improving working conditions or providing other benefits?

1. In the operating room

Surgeons have always needed steady hands, as even the slightest of movements could cause them to nick arteries, sever tissue, or even pierce organs. There are no fully autonomous robot surgeons, but several systems have been developed to augment human capabilities.

Some examples of surgical robotics applications include Preceyes‘ system for ocular procedures; Corindus Vascular Systems’ CorPath system, which incorporates virtual reality (VR) for remote operations, and the Monarch robot from Auris Health.

A recent trend has been the integration of new technologies with advanced software for greater precision. With Preceyes, for instance, developers need to craft not just the surgical robot, but also the tools for remote operation with minimal lag or distortion.

The Preceyes system is designed for delicate eye surgery. Source: maxon precision motor

2. Law enforcement and emergency response

First responders, incident-response teams, and law enforcement officers increasingly rely on robots to go ahead of them in hazardous situations. The 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, prompted advances in disaster-response robotics that continue to the present day.

Bomb-disposal robots, for example, are designed to assess threats and include a variety of sensors and remote monitoring tools. Similar robots can be used in emergencies navigating a burning building or a compromised structure after an earthquake.

The idea of a mobile platform is nothing new, but it is advancing with improved sensors, user interfaces, and autonomy. Human workers can do much more than simple monitoring. Ordnance-disposal robots such as QinetiQ’s Talon include manipulator arms and tools to precisely sever wires, for example.

Unlike remotely operated surgical robots, developers need to design field robots for unpredictable environments and to deal with large objects that could threaten their own safety.

How will a search-and-rescue robot or its operator know whether moving a concrete pillar that has fallen on someone will help or hurt that person? How much visual, location, or audio data does it need to gather for good decision-making?

Developers of such robots should work closely with professionals with experience out in the field or have similar experience themselves. As with any mission-critical technology for life-and-death situations, be prepared to conduct extensive prototyping and testing.

3. Welding with robots

Like surgeons, welders must be incredibly accurate with their movements. Keeping steady without distractions is tough enough, but throw in heavy welding gear — including the helmet — and it becomes a challenge of strength and precision. Partly as a result of this, welding is one of several industries in store for a labor shortage in the coming years.

Luckily, welding is another area that can benefit from robotics, not just on the factory floor but also out in the field. Robotics applications have been used in high-production environments for years, and it’s not uncommon to find dozens — if not hundreds — of robotic welders in automotive factories. As robots become more useful in construction, developers will have to tailor welding systems for the field. Ease of use will remain a key factor.

A joint venture between Universal Robots and ARC Specialties has resulted in two collaborative robot models for welding, one of which is called SnapWeld. It’s a water-cooled torch that can weld up to 600 amps. It includes a torch bracket, cables, and hoses. Similar to 3D printers, the robot can be fed certain parameters to perform on-the-fly stitch welding.

Welding robots for building or repairing bridges or other structures will have to be more portable and aware of their surroundings than stationary machinery. There’s also the issue of maintaining secure control in more open environments.

4. On the farm

Agriculture has always been subject to the vagaries of weather, soil conditions, pests, and the labor supply. Farming equipment has become much more sophisticated and can autonomously navigate, plant, weed, and harvest certain crops. Milking machines in dairies are just the beginning of robotics applications for livestock.

Additional robots handle duties like weed control, plant nursing and feeding, pollution monitoring, and even planting or seeding new crops. Demand has been high for robots to pick and move fruit, partly because of labor shortages.

Robots, drones, and deep learning are helping farmers to ensure their yields via precision agriculture. For example, Small Robot Company’s Tom uses a combination of GPS, AI, and mobile technology to move safely and digitally map fields. Despite Tom’s all-terrain wheels, its lightweight 3D-printed design means it won’t compact soil like most tractors.

Developers of robots and drones for precision agriculture need to understand analytics and big data systems. The robots will need good data collection and processing at the edge, good connectivity for sharing data, and even be able to tap into one another and the cloud for analysis and instructions.

Even then, human supervision is still necessary. Even a slight miscalculation could result in acres of crops destroyed in market where profit margins are slim, food safety is regulated, and robotics applications are still proving their value.

5. On the construction site

Robots applications in the construction and property development industries are being significantly enhanced thanks to technologies like AI, big data, and 3D printing. Australia-based Fastbrick Robotics can even build brick houses four times faster than human workers. It combines a 3D printer and a robot that can lay bricks just as precisely as human laborers.

Victor, N.Y.-based Construction Robotics‘ Semi-Automated Mason, or SAM100, is a collaborative bricklaying robot, and its Material Unit Lift Enhancer, or MULE135, is an assistive device for lifting up to 135 lb.

Other robotics applications include demolition, modular and on-demand construction, transport, surveying, and infrastructure inspection. Again, developers are integrating robots with other devices, such as drones, to further increase their usability. Imagine drones that can be used to transport materials or, better yet, ones that can build solid architectural structures.

There are still many challenges with developing rugged, reliable, and precise hardware and software for construction, which is one reason why there aren’t yet many robots in this space. 3D printing can be lucrative, for example, but it had to handle new materials such as concrete and scale up to create usable structures.

6. On the battlefield

Military robotics is unusual in that all of the application described above also could help military personnel. In addition to ordnance-disposal systems and drones for forward observation, armed forces around the world are interested in portable and easy-to-use surgical systems and rapid construction.

At the same time, aside from the obvious futuristic robot soldiers, some robotics applications are exclusive to the military. Last year, the British Army tested a variety of mobile weapons platforms, unmanned systems, and assistive technologies. Both the U.K. and the U.S., among others, are looking at improving autonomy, collaboration, and coordination among multiple systems.

MAARs is a modular, mini tank of sorts that can be outfitted with a variety of weapons and controlled remotely. Similarly, DOGO is a less intimidating robot that houses a weapon — such as a Glock — and camera for remote reconnaissance.

Note that many of these military robots are very hands-off. They require sensors that can deliver rich data in real time, clear user interfaces, active and secure connections, and a clear chain of command for deployment of weapons alongside human forces.

One advantage for developers is that the U.S. Department of Defense and its international allies and rivals are all willing to invest in game-changing technologies.

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Designing to specific robotics applications

Although each of the robotics applications above is unique, there are certain shared goals and component technologies for developers to keep in mind. For example, in surgery, welding, and construction, robots need to relieve humans of the cognitive or physical burdens while improving precision and reliability.

In disaster-response, law enforcement, and military applications, robots may have greater autonomy because they are intended to go ahead of or instead of human professionals. Different sensors, power sources, end effectors, and methods of propulsion will be needed for different environments and use cases.

From farms to hospitals and building sites, robots and AI are changing how people work, so designers and testers should be keenly aware of the intended applications for each robot rather than lose focus by trying for a “one size fits all” solution.

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