Robots and the Future of Domestic Robots
Overview
The future of robots, particularly those used domestically, paints a picture of a world that is transformed by technological advancement. Robots are becoming increasingly integrated into human life with the potential to revolutionize a broad range of industries and applications from warehouse automation, to human-robot interaction, to dynamic environments. This transformation is not without challenges, however, particularly concerning the safety and reliability of these systems.
The Rise of Robots
The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the deployment of robots with approximately 74 robots per 10,000 employees in 2020 on global scale according to the International Federation of Robotics. Global robot installations are projected to increase 12% per year from 2020 to 2022. An increasing portion of these robots are being introduced to domestic environments, redefining the usages and purposes of technology in everyday life.
Next-Generation of Domestic Robots
While traditionally we might think of robots as only applicable in an industrial context, the shift towards domestic use is clearly taking place. By 2025, the global household robots market is expected to reach a value of $11.2 billion according to Tractica Report, with a significant increase in human-robot interactions. The corresponding challenge is to ensure that these robots can operate smoothly, safely, and efficiently in their environments.
Safety and Reliability of Robotics Systems
Ensuring the safety of humans and property when robots are operating in dynamic or unpredictable environments is paramount. A core aspect of this is the issue of robotics certification, a significant pain point for robotics companies. The successful utilization of Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) offers a new and mathematically provable way to enhance safety features of robots.
Key Takeaways
- Robots are becoming an ever larger part of our lives with increasing rates of installations on a global scale.
- The global household robots market is set for significant expansion with several use cases spanning diverse industries.
- Ensuring the safety of these systems, particularly when operating in dynamic environments, is a crucial area of focus.
3Laws Robotics, with its robust and cutting-edge software, 3Laws Supervisor, aims to take the challenge of safety in robotics head-on. By using innovative technology such as Control Barrier Functions developed at Caltech, 3Laws offers a solution that can enhance safety reliability of robotics systems.
With 3Laws, interaction between humans and robots can be safe and seamless, addressing the growing need for collaborative robotics solutions. By offering real-time safety guardrails for autonomy stacks, concerns about potential accidents can be mitigated. Moreover, the software bolsters operational efficiency by minimizing disturbances caused by e-stops or collisions, with one autonomous forklift customer achieving a 40% efficiency gain.
The cross-platform adaptable nature of 3Laws's software implies that it can work with a range of platforms such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. Equipped with features that can tackle dynamic environments and guaranteeing safety that can meet ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 standards, 3Laws Robotics presents the next-generation solution for managing safety in an increasingly automated world.