FEATURE Robotics
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The rise of dual-purpose robots
Michel Spruijt, Chief Revenues Officer at Brain Corp, discusses the trend of multi-purpose robotics, where robots can have several applications
T
here’s an old saying that “necessity is the mother of invention”. Whilst the past two years have defi nitely forced businesses to innovate on the go, the changes we’ve seen in robotics have been centred around diversifi cation, not just pure invention. Business managers brought in robots to increase cleanliness and effi ciency during the Covid pandemic, but have found them able to expand their usefulness with multiple functions. In response to a perfect storm of operational headaches these past two years, ranging from rising costs to staff shortages, businesses have automated like never before. Working with this automation surge, robotics companies have rapidly diversifi ed their existing products to make their setups work beyond the original briefs. Within the robotics sector this has given rise to the phenomenon of multi-purpose robotics, where robots can have numerous applications.
Facilities go for robots Faced with rising business costs and staffi ng issues, a plethora of business sectors have rapidly boosted the number of robots in their facilities. According to the International Federation Robotics, 486,800 units were shipped globally throughout 2021, a 27% increase on the previous year, with Europe’s growth at 15%. The longstanding arguments for
16 November 2022 | Automation
increased automation have made complete sense in a context in which businesses have had to sustain output with dwindling input. With fewer feet on the ground, robots have been able to carry out repetitive or dangerous tasks, such as moving heavy objects. This dispensation frees up human staff to concentrate on higher-value jobs within a given environment, such as handling customer concerns or solving more technical issues. With the expansion of robots across international businesses, and their labour- saving potential amidst a challenging series of scenarios, robots have proven themselves indispensable to progressive and sustainable operations.
Different automation? Amidst the sudden rush of robots in facilities and warehouses, it is easy for those in charge to focus too heavily on immediate needs and overlook the wider potential machines can off er. A prominent example of this mechanical dual-wield is Inventory Scan technology – an application that allows autonomous fl oor-cleaning robots to check stock levels whilst sanitising the fl oors. Moreover, they can also now double up as real-time data collection systems.
The dual functionalities are able to have a transformative impact, as a robot’s initial role – such as, say, sanitation – can now be managed, tracked and recorded, whilst location data enables managers
to stay informed on the status of their locations in real time. In turn, up-to-the- minute data gathering means that robots generate a wealth of data, which puts more intelligence than ever before in the hands of managers, placing them in a much better position to make the right decisions and modify the operations.
Robot multi-tasking in the future Just like any other conventional electronic device – from televisions to smartphones – robots will gain more applications per given unit in the foreseeable future. What remains to be seen is how this trend will play out and how leaders will choose to future-proof their operations. What’s for certain is that robots are getting smarter and more productive as they multiply across sectors, and that leaders who stay at the forefront of developments with robotics stand to benefi t the most. More specifi cally, managers who diversify their existing robots will be the fi rst to improve their internal systems and stay ahead of the game. Doing more with a fi xed team of robots also allows businesses to withstand sudden, unexpected shifts in global markets and ride out storms with far lesser impact on their operations.
CONTACT:
Brain Corp.
www.braincorp.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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