Robotics and the Future of Underwater Robots
Overview The prospect of underwater robotics represents a quantum leap forward in numerous sectors, including naval warfare, the oil and gas sector, and underwater archaeology. Despite the exponential potential, underwater robots face formidable challenges, such as high operating expenses and complexity of design. Developing software for these robotics systems remains one of the significant challenges. A company called 3Laws Robotics is addressing these hurdles with their software, 3Laws Supervisor.
Underwater Robots: An Emerging Market Predicted to grow at a CAGR of 13.5%, the global underwater robotics market is set to reach USD 6.74 billion by 2027. While oil and gas sectors account for 27% of the demand, naval defense, hydrography, and oceanography are also key drivers. However, high maintenance and operating costs hinder the expansion of this market.
Challenges in Underwater Robotics Designing and implementing underwater robotics is fraught with challenges. While they have to navigate complex, rugged ocean floors, they also have to withstand high pressure and corrosive saltwater. The hazardous nature of underwater environments results in a high failure rate, estimated at 25%, for underwater robots. Deeper the mission, higher is this rate.
Robotic Software: A Solution Innovative software solutions like the 3Laws Supervisor can address some of these challenges. By offering robust safety features and evidence of system robustness, their solution decreases the risk of robot failure and thereby operational costs. Their software is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a Caltech-developed technology providing mathematically provable safety.
Operational Efficiency with 3Laws Adopting 3Laws can lead to substantial efficiency gains. One of their customers operating an autonomous forklift achieved a 40% efficiency gain due to this software, leading to a 6-month payback period. This software also reduces downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Human-Robot Interaction A growing need in industries is for safe and uninterrupted operation of robots near humans, a need that 3Law's technology efficiently caters to. Their reactive collision avoidance capabilities enable robots to effectively navigate in close proximity to humans.
Key Takeaways
- The global underwater robotics market is set to reach USD 6.74 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.5%.
- The complexity and hazardous nature of underwater environments contribute to a failure rate of 25% for underwater robots.
- Software solutions like 3Laws Supervisor can enhance safety and reliability, decreasing risk and operational costs.
- The application of 3Laws software can lead to efficiency gains, as seen with a customer who achieved a 40% efficiency gain.
- 3Laws' technology enables safe human-robot interaction and efficient navigation in unpredictable environments.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics Addressing key challenges in underwater robotics, 3Laws is developing innovative software, 3Laws Supervisor. At the crux of 3Laws' solutions is the challenge of certification, which traditionally is a pain point for robotics companies. They aim to simplify this process with robust safety features. Unnecessary e-stops or collisions, which can cause significant downtime, are minimized by real-time guardrails provided by 3Laws. With a fan of applications, including mobile robots, cars, and drones, 3Laws aims to offer adaptive, dynamic, predictive safety in an ISO-certifiable format, proving to be a next-generation safety solution.