Creating a profitable robotic requires cautious collection of applied sciences. Poor decisions can result in pricey setbacks, reliability points, or future-proofing issues. Drawing from the intensive expertise of our work at OLogic, which focuses on robotics and shopper electronics, listed below are 10 applied sciences to keep away from to make sure your robotic is scalable, dependable, revolutionary, and manufacturable.
1. Outdated microcontrollers
Outdated microcontrollers (MCUs) can restrict your robotic’s capabilities by proscribing processing energy and power effectivity. With robotics more and more demanding edge computing and AI options, utilizing out of date MCUs reduces flexibility and flexibility. Superior choices like NVIDIA Jetson or MediaTek’s AIoT platform provide the required processing energy for contemporary robots.
2. Proprietary software program ecosystems
Whereas proprietary software program platforms can look like a safe selection because of their complete help, they usually impose limitations on flexibility and scalability. Open-source software program ecosystems, such because the Robotic Working System (ROS), permit for larger customization and integration with different programs. Sooner or later it is going to give your robotics product extra room to evolve. On this listing of 10 applied sciences to keep away from in robotics, this one is essential.
3. Single-function sensors
In an period the place multi-functional and sensible sensors dominate the robotics panorama, single-function sensors have gotten outdated. Superior sensors like LIDAR, depth cameras made by corporations like Intel or Orbbec, or AI-enhanced imaginative and prescient programs, provide versatility and precision in advanced environments. Keep away from the temptation to make use of single-function sensors like sonar, as they will considerably restrict your robotic’s talents. Intel is spinning off its RealSense division as a standalone firm.
The Intel RealSense D421 Depth Module. | Credit score: Intel
4. Legacy Communication Protocols
Robots more and more depend on quick, safe, and scalable communication programs, particularly in IoT environments. Outdated protocols like Zigbee or outdated Bluetooth variations could appear cost-effective, however they will’t match the pace or reliability of newer requirements like Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5.0, or 5G. Sticking to legacy communication programs can hinder your robotic’s capability to function effectively, particularly in advanced environments with excessive community calls for.
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5. USB connections
Whereas USB is usually used for connectivity, it’s a dangerous selection in robotics purposes because of its instability in environments with fixed motion and vibration. USB connectors are liable to points like re-enumeration or system hanging, usually triggered by the movement of a robotic. For crucial programs, think about extra steady and rugged options like Ethernet or GMSL and ruggedized connectors to stop random disconnections throughout operations. That is one other crucial merchandise in our listing of 10 applied sciences to keep away from in robotics.
6. Non-locking connectors
In transferring robotics purposes, non-locking connectors are a frequent level of failure. Commonplace shopper grade connectors are likely to loosen or disconnect because of fixed vibration and motion, inflicting unpredictable efficiency points. Locking connectors, similar to these utilized in industrial and automotive purposes, guarantee a safe and dependable connection even in difficult environments. Keep away from utilizing non-locking connectors in any software the place stability is essential and use locking ones from corporations like Molex or JST.
7. Low-bandwidth knowledge processing
Robotics purposes usually contain the processing of huge quantities of sensor knowledge in real-time. Choosing low-bandwidth knowledge processing programs can create bottlenecks, slowing down decision-making and impacting the robotic’s efficiency in dynamic environments. Utilizing high-bandwidth, edge computing options allows sooner and extra correct knowledge processing, which is crucial for duties like impediment detection, navigation, and manipulation. Simply having a WiFi connection to the robotic is often not sufficient. Accessing a 4G or 5G community in parallel is crucial to uninterrupted connectivity.
8. Low-cost wiring harnesses or tin connectors
Low-cost wiring harnesses and tin-plated connectors would possibly look like a strategy to minimize prices, however they will result in important reliability points, particularly in robotics purposes the place sturdiness and constant connectivity are essential. Tin connectors, particularly, are liable to oxidation over time, which can lead to poor conductivity and even full system failures. Low-cost wiring harnesses can endure from poor insulation or weak connections, resulting in intermittent electrical failures, sign loss, and even brief circuits. Go for high-quality supplies, similar to gold-plated connectors and sturdy wiring.
9. Non-modular mechanical designs
A non-modular design locks your robotic into a hard and fast configuration, making future upgrades or customizations tough. Modular mechanical designs present the flexibleness to simply swap elements, alter to new applied sciences, and accommodate future expansions. That is notably vital in industries the place robotics purposes should evolve quickly to fulfill new challenges. Robotic serviceability is crucial with fielded merchandise. Be sure your mechanical engineering is optimized for deployment at scale.
10. Battery applied sciences with poor power density
Robots depend on environment friendly energy administration to carry out for prolonged intervals, particularly in cellular purposes. Choosing batteries with poor power density limits working time and will increase downtime for recharging. Out-dated battery applied sciences like sealed-lead-acid (SLA) or older prismatic lithium batteries. As a substitute, give attention to superior battery applied sciences like lithium-iron-phosphate, which provide larger power density and longer operational lifespans.
Conclusion
Within the sophisticated, multi-disciplined discipline of robotics, it’s essential to make knowledgeable selections about which applied sciences to embrace and which to keep away from. This listing can positively assist you in your subsequent undertaking. By steering away from outdated microcontrollers, non-locking connectors, USB in unstable environments, and different applied sciences talked about above, you’ll be able to construct a robotic that’s extra dependable, scalable, and prepared for future calls for.
With steerage from skilled corporations like OLogic, your product growth will keep forward of the curve.
Editor’s Observe: This text was republished with permission from OLogic.
Concerning the Creator
Ted Larson is the CEO of OLogic, a analysis and growth outsourcing firm with a give attention to robotics. OLogic has labored on merchandise for corporations similar to Hasbro, Fb, Google, Motorola, HP, and Amazon. Larson is laptop software program and electronics skilled with 30+ years of expertise designing and constructing business merchandise.
Previous to OLogic, he based an web software program firm known as the Urbanite Community, an internet server content material publishing platform for media clients, and grew the corporate to over 70 workers, and raised over $10 million in personal fairness and enterprise capital. Previous to Urbanite, Larson held positions at Hewlett-Packard, Iomega, and the Los Alamos Nationwide Laboratory. He has each a BS and MS in laptop science from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo.
