Robots are already performing real work, but look for more new technologies to add more robustness.
Robots conjure up images of science-fiction wonders and horrors. Though they have yet to reach the pinnacle of self-awareness and understanding, robots have been performing tasks for many years, from moving products around warehouses to vacuuming floors. Robots are practical tools today, though emerging technologies likely will move them from the backroom to the forefront. Problems more commonly read in sci-fi stories may emerge, but that's for another time.
It seems appropriate to start with one of the foremost robotics competitions, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which hosts a range of events (Fig. 1). Team 67, "the HOT Team" of Huron Valley Schools in Milford, Mich., won the prestigious FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Chairman's Award this year. Science fairs and competitions like FIRST foster interest in engineering and science among students and give new developers a better understanding of technology.
ROBOTS AT WORK
Few people would be concerned if they walked through the latest high-tech assembly lines and saw dozens of robotic arms moving, welding, and painting automobiles or other products destined for consumers. They also would be unlikely to spot the differences between today's assembly robots and those of a decade ago. Still, significant disparities exist under the metallic skin.
Designers have made significant strides in motor control and network capabilities. Accuracy, speed, and especially safety also have been increased through the use of faster processors, better programming, and the use of new hardware.
Egemin Automation has been selling mobile robots for a number of years, from specialized units that deliver mail within a large building to warehouse automation systems. The company's forklift robots can be dispatched as needed and automatically proceed to the designated site (Fig. 2). Dave Nobel indicates that robots in Egemin's latest system handle navigation autonomously. A Sick laser guidance system and built-in collision avoidance let robots and humans operate smoothly in the robot's environment. A handler with a wireless touchpad typically dispatches the robot.
Along with Egemin Automation, many companies are building forklift and towing robot vehicles. Many of the challenges in this genre concern hardware, such as keeping the batteries charged. Some sites have robots return to charging stations when they're a bit low, while others do complete battery-pack swaps each night.
Egemin's production robots are built from commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components and software such as Microsoft Windows. All of the robots are part of a larger, coordinated system connected via COTS wireless links. Improving the automated management and coordination is where it's at now, enabling robots to change jobs in mid-stride. For example, after finishing one job, a robot may replace a sibling if it's closer to a pickup location.