Creating a profitable robotic requires cautious number 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 makes a speciality of robotics and client electronics, listed here 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 Outdated microcontrollers
Outdated microcontrollers (MCUs) can restrict your robotic’s capabilities by proscribing processing energy and vitality effectivity. With robotics more and more demanding edge computing and AI options, utilizing out of date MCUs reduces flexibility and adaptableness. 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 seem to be a safe selection resulting from their complete assist, they typically impose limitations on flexibility and scalability. Open-source software program ecosystems, such because the Robotic Working System (ROS), permit for higher customization and integration with different programs. Sooner or later it is going to give your robotics product extra room to evolve. On this record 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the place multi-functional and sensible sensors dominate the robotics panorama, single-function sensors have gotten outdated.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 firms like Intel or Orbbec, or AI-enhanced imaginative and prescient programs, provide versatility and precision in complicated environments. Keep away from the temptation to make use of single-function sensors like sonar, as they’ll 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 Outdated protocols like Zigbee or outdated Bluetooth variations could seem cost-effective, however they’ll’t match the pace or reliability of newer requirements like Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5.0, or 5G.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 means to function effectively, particularly in complicated 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 resulting from its instability in environments with fixed motion and vibration. USB connectors are susceptible to points like re-enumeration or system hanging, typically triggered by the movement of a robotic. For essential programs, contemplate extra steady and rugged alternate options like Ethernet or GMSL and ruggedized connectors to stop random disconnections throughout operations. That is one other essential merchandise in our record of 10 applied sciences to keep away from in robotics.
6. Non-locking connectors
In shifting robotics purposes, non-locking connectors are a frequent level of failure. Customary client grade connectors are likely to loosen or disconnect resulting from fixed vibration and motion, inflicting unpredictable efficiency points. Locking connectors, reminiscent of 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 firms like Molex or JST.
7. Low-bandwidth information processing
Robotics purposes typically contain the processing of enormous quantities of sensor information in real-time. Choosing low-bandwidth information processing programs can create bottlenecks, slowing down decision-making and impacting the robotic’s efficiency in dynamic environments. Utilizing high-bandwidth, edge computing options permits sooner and extra correct information processing, which is important for duties like impediment detection, navigation, and manipulation. Simply having a WiFi connection to the robotic is normally not sufficient. Gaining access to a 4G or 5G community in parallel is important to uninterrupted connectivity.
8. Low-cost wiring harnesses or tin connectors
Low-cost wiring harnesses and tin-plated connectors would possibly seem to be a option to reduce prices, however they’ll result in important reliability points, particularly in robotics purposes the place sturdiness and constant connectivity are essential. Tin connectors, particularly, are susceptible to oxidation over time, which can lead to poor conductivity and even full system failures. Low-cost wiring harnesses can undergo from poor insulation or weak connections, resulting in intermittent electrical failures, sign loss, and even brief circuits. Go for high-quality supplies, reminiscent of 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 troublesome. Modular mechanical designs present the flexibleness to simply swap parts, regulate 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 essential with fielded merchandise. Ensure your mechanical engineering is optimized for deployment at scale.
10. Battery applied sciences with poor vitality density
Robots depend on environment friendly energy administration to carry out for prolonged intervals, particularly in cellular purposes. Choosing batteries with poor vitality 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 an alternative, give attention to superior battery applied sciences like lithium-iron-phosphate, which supply increased vitality 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 record can undoubtedly aid you in your subsequent mission. By steering away from outdated microcontrollers, non-locking connectors, USB in unstable environments, and different applied sciences talked about above, you possibly can construct a robotic that’s extra dependable, scalable, and prepared for future calls for.
With steering from skilled companies like OLogic, your product improvement will keep forward of the curve.
Editor’s Word: This text was republished with permission from OLogic.
Concerning the Creator
Ted Larson is the CEO of OLogic, a analysis and improvement outsourcing firm with a give attention to robotics. OLogic has labored on merchandise for firms reminiscent of Hasbro, Fb, Google, Motorola, HP, and Amazon. Larson is laptop software program and electronics professional with 30+ years of expertise designing and constructing industrial merchandise.
Previous to OLogic, he based an web software program firm known as the Urbanite Community, an online server content material publishing platform for media prospects, and grew the corporate to over 70 workers, and raised over $10 million in non-public 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.
