INDUSTRY News
Sound-powered sensors add to sustainability
ABB COLUMN AI SPURS GROWTH IN ROBOT TAKE-UP
Year 2024 is seeing robotic automation accelerate into new sectors thanks in no small part to new opportunities presented by AI. From the rise of mobile robots and cobots to creating new opportunities for people to learn and develop, AI is redefining the future of industrial robotics. There are three AI-related trends in particular that are lighting up the market for robotics
Researchers at ETH Zurich, the research university in Switzerland, have developed a sensor that uses the energy of sound waves to control electronic devices. Their passive sound-sensitive sensors can be used in many applications, doing away with batteries and the waste problem they bring, which will help our sustainability goals. “The sensor works purely mechanically and doesn’t
require an external energy source. It simply utilises the vibrational energy contained in sound waves,” said Johan Robertsson, ETH geophysics professor. The sensor acquires its special properties from
structuring the silicone metamaterial it is made of. It comprises dozens of identical or similarly-structured plates, connected via tiny bars which act like springs that determine whether or not a particular sound source triggers the sensor. Whenever a certain word is spoken or a particular tone or noise generated, the sound waves emitted – and only these – cause the sensor to vibrate. This that switches on an electronic device. “Our sensor consists purely of silicone and contains neither toxic heavy metals nor any rare earths, as conventional electronic sensors do,” said Marc Serra-Garcia another study co-lead.
Sensor uses include earthquake or building and oil-well monitoring, medical devices and zero-energy industrial sensors.
right now. The first is greater autonomy, which is redefining what is possible with industrial robots. AI is enhancing everything – from the robots’ grip and pick-and-place capabilities to their ability to navigate safely around dynamic environments. It’s giving them unprecedented speed and accuracy and enabling them to take on more tasks in unstructured settings in factories, warehouses, logistics centres and laboratories. This is paving the way for a shift from linear production lines to dynamic automated networks that can respond quickly and flexibly to changing requirements. The second is a growing awareness of the potential for robots to make a big difference outside traditional manufacturing. Sectors from construction and healthcare to life sciences and retail are recognising the ability of AI-powered robots to boost productivity, safety and sustainability. In the construction industry, AI-powered robots can directly address some of the biggest issues facing the industry today, such as worker shortages, safety concerns and stagnant productivity. Robotic systems can perform key tasks such as modular assembly and 3D printing with greater precision, safety and speed than human workers can. Third, advances in AI and robotics promise to close the automation skills gap and make robots more accessible. With AI making programming easier, education and training can focus on how robots can help, rather than just teaching programming skills. This transition will bring robots to a wider audience, giving more organisations the ability to work successfully with them. This will be especially beneficial in small- and medium-sized companies that currently lack the in-house skills to handle robotic automation. Taken together, these three trends clearly signal exciting potential for robotic automation to grow over the coming months.
Julian Ware, UK & Ireland Sales Manager, ABB Robotics
Ground-breaking battery-health algorithm
Eatron Technologies and WMG at the University of Warwick have developed a new algorithm to accurately estimate the remaining useful life of an electric vehicle’s battery. This will unlock additional performance, greater range and increased levels of safety in EVs.
Developed with funding from the Faraday Institution, the collaborative project, known as “VIPER – Validated & Integrated Platform for Battery Remaining Useful Life”, combines WMG’s advanced electrochemical models with Eatron’s cloud battery management to deliver Remaining Useful Life (RUL) estimates that
The condition and performance of a battery change as its cells age over time. If this natural degradation is not monitored closely, it can lead to cell failures with serious consequences. Traditional
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RUL estimates often rely on simple voltage-based analytics that may miss complex failure conditions, whilst others result in perfectly healthy battery packs being unnecessarily rendered unusable. By accurately predicting the battery’s RUL it becomes possible to extract maximum performance and longevity from it, without compromising its safety. The solution developed by Eatron and WMG can be embedded in an automotive-grade battery management system or deployed across a cloud-based platform, a concept that is particularly battery is eventually redeployed into its second life, it can be accompanied by an accurate picture of its health in the form of a battery passport that removes the need for expensive testing and extends its operating life.
Automation | April 2024 7
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