Robots and the Future of Ship Building and Repairing
Overview
The age of robotics has dawned for the ship building and repair industry, presenting immense possibilities for advancement. This guide presents how robotics can modernize ship building and repairing, with statistics that underscore the profound potential of this technology. We'll explore how robots can enhance productivity, safety, and quality while reducing costs. Lastly, we will introduce 3Laws Robotics, a company developing innovative software that can amplify the advantages provided by robots in this sector.
The Rise of Robots in Ship Building
Robots are gradually taking over traditional human jobs in the ship building industry. A recent report claims that by 2025, up to 30% of ship building tasks could be automated. The use of robots not only improves productivity but also increases precision. With error margins down to just 0.5 millimeters, the quality of work is tremendously improved. Furthermore, robots can perform tasks in environments unsuitable or hazardous for humans, significantly boosting safety.
Impact on Costs and Efficiency
With the integration of robotics, companies can undergo a remarkable transformation in terms of costs and efficiency. It’s estimated that robotics could reduce labor costs by up to 20% for shipbuilders. Moreover, process efficiency can go up by over 70%, according to a study conducted on the use of automated welding robots in shipbuilding. This means faster turnaround times, reduced costs, and elevated competitiveness in the global market.
Navigating Through Challenges
Despite the promising outlook, the progression of robotics in ship repairing encounters several challenges. The complexity of ship systems and their varying degrees of wear and tear make it difficult for robots to adapt. However, the potential efficiency gains from robotisation are too substantial to ignore. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there's a projected increase of 5.3% in ship and boat repairing jobs by 2026 – making robotics a firm solution towards meeting future workforce requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Robotics in shipbuilding contribute to increasing productivity and precision, along with improved safety.
- The integration of robots in shipbuilding can reduce labor costs by up to 20% and improve process efficiency by over 70%.
- Despite minor obstacles, the projected increase in ship repairing jobs emphasises the importance of integrating robotics for future workforce requirements.
3Laws Robotics and the Future of Ship Building and Repairing
With the promising future of robotics in the shipbuilding and repairing sector, 3Laws Robotics is gearing up to support these changes. By tackling significant pain points such as certification, 3Laws Robotics is developing software to enhance safety and reliability for robotics systems.
Their software, 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies the certification process by providing robust safety features and demonstrating system strength, potentially easing the certification path. This software, based on Control Barrier Functions, ensures mathematically provable safety.
3Laws has broad applications, from warehouse automation to dynamic environments. For instance, their solutions have already led to a 40% efficiency gain for an autonomous forklift customer.
By ensuring operational efficiency, 3Laws aids robots in operating at their peak capabilities, thereby boosting productivity. The software works on various platforms including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, reinforcing its adaptability.
3Laws is pitched as a next-generation safety solution, offering a proactive approach rather than traditional e-stop methods. Its dynamic, predictive safety can unlock the full potential of robotics, transforming the shipbuilding and repairing sector.