How Robotics is benefitting and changing the whole world

The world is moving in mysterious ways, and many of us struggle to keep up with the advances in technology that appear every single year. From the 50s when the first TVs hit homes to modern day where we have a whole computer in our pockets – technology is changing and evolving at an exponential rate and will continue to do so in the future. One form of technology that is currently being explored in depth is Robotics and Artificial Intelligence(AI). From robots used in factories to more advanced AI, there are so many interesting and important applications robotics can have in our world.

Today we want to talk about how robotics is benefitting and changing the world and shaping our future.

1. Safety

Robotics are often used for applications where an extreme environment would be too dangerous for a human. Some of the great examples would be Unmanned underwater drones(UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs) & fire-fighting robots.

It is not possible for human beings to stay for prolonged period at very great depths of the seas because of limited oxygen and extreme high pressures of water. This is where underwater drones come into picture. They can possess great strength to handle high pressures and forces whereas in some cases, they could also be continuously powered and operated by setting up power cables through boat/ship.
UAVs are also widely used for certain applications with great heights like inspection of wind turbine blades & inner walls of industrial tanks & towers. No more climbing and putting your life at risk; get a drone, attach a camera and dang – there you go!

For the safety of humans in the pursuit of science robotics are invaluable and look to be continued to be used extensively in the future.

2. Speed

It is important to note that a human will take some time to learn how to carry out a task and because of our limited ability, we will take much longer to do so than a robot who has been programmed for the task. Robots are used a lot in manufacturing processes because they can be programmed to work faster and this means keep products are made and more money can be made overall.

3. No human error

There is no doubt that machines are both – more accurate and precise than human beings and are bound to make mistakes. Where a human might miss something or complete a task wrong if they are tired – a robot will not have this issue and will work at the same pace and efficiency always. Also some applications like space equipment and special vehicles like Mars rovers require extremely accurate movements, tracking and actuating them.

A simple example would be a simple LVDT also called as Linear Variable Displacement Transducer(click here), a device which measures linear displacement or position. They can measure displacements with an accuracy of 100 micrometers(approx. thickness of a human hair). Robots are consistent in quality of work and this means less mistakes are made in the long run.

4. Versatility

As we discussed above – robotics are used in a number of different roles and they are incredibly diverse tools. A robot can fix your car, cook your food, and explore space without an issue. In todays date, you can even have pet dog robot! Yes, you heard that right. Ever heard of Boston Dynamics Spot? It is an agile mobile robot which can do works ranging from household to industrial! They are incredibly versatile and I personally feel, such robots are going to be a huge part of our lives in the future.

Robotics is a subject that all engineers should be aware of, and we should all take the time to learn more about the use of robotics in our lives and for the world at large. Robotics is a technology that is brilliant and will only continue to grow as time goes by.

Related article – How Robotics have changed the manufacturing industry ?