Robots are smart, intelligent machines that combine three different fields: engineering, science, and technology. Robotics is not a fad. Statistics show an upward trend in the purchase of industrial robots. Covid-19, with its negative impacts on the world, has done nothing to slow down robotics’ growth. If anything, it has increased the influence of robotics in health. There are now robots helping in taking the fight to Covid 19. An example of this is how robots transport meds to Covid-19 patients and help disinfect hospitals.
The impact of robotics in the battle against coronavirus would likely push the world further into exploring robotics and how to improve upon it. If you think you are seeing robots now, we can assure you that it’s just getting started. You might have already begun noticing some service robots in the airports. But it is merely the beginning.
Robotics is projected to witness significant progress in 2021. As opposed to just only industrial robots, there will be robots that will influence our day-to-day lives. This post will explore 7 robotics technology that will impact our lives.
As expected, not everyone believes in the potential of robotics. But robots have numerous advantages, which will sway the mind of doubters. First, robots have no complaints about repeating the same tasks. Their design favors repetitive movements without a reduction in output. The same cannot be said for human beings prone to distractions, especially when they do the same thing repeatedly. Thus, introducing robots to tackle some workplace tasks is not a bad idea. It could allow the business to have a competitive advantage over its rivals.
Robots do not have lapses in concentration and, as such, can’t make errors leading to a quality reduction in products or services rendered. Robotics can even provide means to explore the quality of products that are about to be sent to market and flag products that do not meet the standards of quality that the company aims.
Trends in robotics
The use of robots continues to grow, especially industrial robots. The growth of industrial robots’ use is because of the efficiency of robots in manufacturing processes. The continued use of robotics in manufacturing with success can be gotten when manufacturers are up to date on robotics trends. The top trends in industrial robotics and the whole robotics industry in general are:
- Cobots: These robots are created to work with humans and are equipped with parts that allow this to happen seamlessly. Collaborative robots that have been nicknamed cobots are equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, software, and intelligent tools that will enable them to recognize changes in their work description and react in a manner that won’t harm their human partners.
- Robots for Commercial Purpose: Sadly, there are no great, hip nicknames for these robots. These robots are made to cater to logistics purposes and have military uses. These robots, also known as drones, have been equipped with advanced sensors, powerful batteries, and a light body structure.
- Artificially Intelligent Robots: These robots put the learning in the machine. They are robots designed to learn and improve their functions using what they have learned. They have high-end software, advanced sensors, and computer vision technology, allowing them to gather and analyze visual input from their environment while working and responding to that data immediately. These robots can be used for a lot of purposes. Some of these purposes are inventory management, transportation, quality control, equipment management, etc.
- Digital Robots: We have the perfect name for these robots, but the word we would have used is subject to copyright. These robots are connected to cloud storage systems, which serve as data banks. These cloud storage robots are connected to allow them to draw data from these cloud storage and work with other robots.
Top robotic technologies in 2021
Robots in education
There is a robot tech that helps the course of education. Education is essential in any society, and now robotics is here to improve the way we receive an education. Even before the advent of Covid-19, students used to be absent from the classroom due to their health. Robotics has come to cure this as engineers now provide robots to help students learn from a distance. The robot technology for education is equipped with arms, cameras for sight, and a body. Thus, sick students can socialize with their classmates through robots.
Also, there wouldn’t be a need for substitute teachers as physically unavailable teachers can use these same robots the same way. Also, robots can collaborate with human teachers to help with students’ learning. Imagine a cute little robot going around the class, assisting students in assimilating after helping them to practice what they know. The perfect example in this regard is the L2TOR project about teaching using social robots.
Autonomous cars (automated transportation)
Cars are now being made into robots that will self-drive themselves without the need for any human controlling them. The future of transportation is now changing as Artificially Enabled robots will soon fill up the roads in cars. Auto Cars’ creation brings the potential for fewer accidents occurring and traffic being smoother. Soon, this will become mainstream as there is currently a joint venture between Hyundai, an American motor parts company, Aptiv and a public transport technology, Via. Another example is AMRs (Automated Mobile Robots) which are becoming crucial at moving heavy materials in a manufacturing plant.
Transportation is not just what robots have done in the automotive industry. Robots are also becoming essential in assembling vehicles, painting, and performing other collaborative actions with human engineers.
Delivery robots
These come in the shape of small drones, and some shopping platforms are using them to deliver products to those who order them. This small drone or delivery robot is equipped with AI and vision systems that assist it in manoeuvring itself and avoiding obstructions. Also, these features will enable the robot to identify the owner of the package.
Delivery robots are of two kinds. Some kinds use the sidewalk for transportation, and the other ones can drive on the open road. The delivery robots using the sidewalks are usually of smaller size and are fitted with 6 wheels. Amazon delivery bots can be an example of this There are also big delivery robots that use the open road and have 4 wheels like a regular car. Nuro’s delivery bots come to mind. Nuro’s delivery bots are perfect for delivering groceries and other food items as they are fitted with refrigerating units to keep customer food fresh.
Surgeon robots
Robots have grown from being a collaborative tech for medical and surgical processes to performing surgical operations themselves. Also, micro-robots are being developed and are taught to have high-level precision in performing medical treatment. These surgical robots can help perform organ transplants, spine surgeries, gastrointestinal surgeries, etc.
Surgeons in the United States of America have performed around 900,000 surgeries that were assisted by robots, and the surgical robots market has grown a lot. There are some leading players in the surgical robots market. Intuitive surgical, Diligent Robotics and Medrobotics are some of the top players in the surgical robot business.
Home care robots
These robots are going to help you with your household chores. Admittedly, these robots have not reached their potential yet, but the possibility is enormous. Soon, you won’t have to worry if you left your home lights on. You won’t have to worry if your pet would have adequate care when you are away. Mowing your lawn, doing your laundry, cooking your meals, moving massive objects, etc., will be addressed by automated means. There would soon be a robot to even assemble furniture for you.
Entertainment robots
These robots would serve the purpose of providing alternative entertainment for adults and children alike. Playing, after all, is one of the main activities in human life and robots shall address that too. Robots can now dance and have smart dancing moves. In Japan, there are now giant robots that simulate movements. These Japanese robots belong to the Gundam factory in Yokohama.
Friendship (companion) robots
Robots have reached a position where their Artificial intelligence can help them act like human being and make friends with a person. They could be used to teach basic social skills or help you reflect on your thoughts as much as we used to do it with personal diaries. Humans are social beings, so we need interactions or else, we risk acquiring mental health problems. For instance, Covid-19 has caused many people to be cut off from physical interactions and become depressed because of being alone all day. The emergence of friendship robots could cure this, and this is what leading robotics company Hanson Robotics seeks to achieve.
Conclusion
The world continues to explore robotics. The fascination of technology experts with what robotics can continue to offer is at an all-time high and doesn’t look to decrease. Robotics now influence health, manufacturing, agriculture, the automotive industry, the fashion industry, etc. There is no area that robotics isn’t helpful, and the best part is, a career path in robotics is inclusive.
