Robotics and the Future of Telepresence robots
Overview
The future of robots in telepresence is a fascinating subject. With projected growth of the telepresence robot market to be around USD 312.6 million by 2023, and even more expansion expected after Covid-19, the use of robots in this domain is truly having a global impact. Robots are finding applications across diverse sectors like healthcare, education, and business. Meanwhile, innovative companies like 3Laws Robotics are focusing on advancing the safety and reliability of robotics systems. This could potentially ease the path to certification, a major hurdle for many robotics companies.
The Growing Telepresence Robot Market
The telepresence robot market is a rapidly expanding sector, anticipated to be worth more than USD 312.6 million by 2023. The utilization of robots for telepresence is one such technology that continues to gain traction globally. The benefits these robots offer – including flexibility, mobility, and keeping humans out of harm's way – have contributed greatly to their increasing popularity. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated market growth, as companies and institutions recognize the advantages of remote presence technology in mitigating infection risks.
Telepresence Robots and Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, telepresence robots have made a significant impact. They allow doctors to consult, diagnose, and treat patients remotely, ensuring the continuity of healthcare services while reducing the risk of medical professionals being exposed to infectious diseases. By 2028, the market for healthcare telepresence robots is expected to reach approximately $2.9 billion. Moreover, telepresence tech can also be pivotal in supporting mental health services, reducing isolation for those unable to engage with others in person.
Telepresence Robots in Education and Business
In education, telepresence robots are reshaping approaches to teaching and learning. Around 20% of schools and colleges are already using telepresence robots, offering solutions for remote instruction, supporting students in need of special attention, and providing continuity during unforeseen circumstances. Meanwhile, businesses are leveraging telepresence technology to facilitate remote meetings with a 30% boost in productivity, enhancing collaboration, and reducing the need for business travel.
Key Takeaways
- The telepresence robot market is expected to exceed USD 312.6 million by 2023, with significant growth due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The healthcare sector's application of telepresence robots is projected to reach a market worth nearly $2.9 billion by 2028.
- Roughly 20% of educational institutions are using telepresence robots to enhance learning experiences.
- Businesses that use telepresence robots have noted a 30% increase in productivity during remote meetings.
With the advancements and increasing demand for robotics, companies like 3Laws Robotics are stepping up to address key challenges facing the sector. The team at 3Laws is working on innovative software solutions designed to enhance the safety and reliability of robotic systems.
With a strong focus on addressing the challenge of certification – a significant pain point for many robotics companies – 3Laws Supervisor is software designed to offer robust safety features while simplifying the certification process. It is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), developed at Caltech, which has been designed to provide mathematically provable safety.
3Laws demonstrates the adaptability of their software with several use cases, including warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and operation in dynamic environments. Their software has resulted in a 40% efficiency gain for an autonomous forklift company, allowing safe operation of robots near humans and enabling navigation in unpredictable surroundings.
By offering real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, 3Laws lets robots operate closer to their peak capabilities while maintaining safety, reducing downtime from unnecessary e-stops or collisions. Importantly, 3Laws' software can work with a wide range of platforms including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and is compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2.
Positioning itself as a next-generation safety solution, 3Laws takes safety beyond traditional e-stop methods. It offers a proactive approach to safety with dynamic, predictive abilities that have the potential to unlock the full potential of robotics systems, possibly attaining safety certification for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.