Robotics has been a developing field in the technology industry with thousands of applications that have made human life more efficient. Especially in the most recent years, the development of artificial intelligence has made robotics even more important in society. It is important to keep up with this developing field to understand the importance of this technology and its applications. Here are some of the most important fields that use robotics in today’s world:
Industrial Automation
Robots are deployed in factories and warehouses to perform repetitive tasks, ranging from assembly and packaging to material handling and quality control. This frees up human workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, and Foxconn have invested heavily in robotic automation to make their manufacturing processes faster and provide for the demand in the global market.
Healthcare Robotics
In the field of healthcare, robots are revolutionizing patient care, surgery, and rehabilitation. Surgical robots, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, give surgeons the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures with precision and control, resulting in shorter recovery times and improved patient outcomes. Robots are also being used in hospitals and nursing homes to assist with tasks like patient lifting and medication delivery. This has helped reduce strain in the healthcare system and help patients recover faster.
Service Robots
Service robots have become more and more common in fields such as retail and entertainment. These robots are designed to interact with customers, provide assistance, and streamline tasks at a faster rate than human work. For example, companies like SoftBank Robotics have developed humanoid robots like Pepper, which can greet customers, provide information, and even engage in basic conversations. Service robots will continue to become more prominent in everyday lives as they take over positions that do not need human intervention.
Autonomous Vehicles
The development of autonomous vehicles represents a major milestone in the robotics field. Companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Uber have been developing self-driving car technology to use in their companies. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions by producing the most efficient routes and having safer driving behaviors. Even though there are still technical challenges to overcome, autonomous vehicles have a lot of potential to change the vehicle industry.
Educational Robotics
Robotics is playing a vital role in education, inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators. Robotics kits and platforms, such as LEGO Mindstorms and Arduino, are widely used in schools and universities to teach students about programming, electronics, and mechanical engineering. These hands-on experiences help students develop problem-solving skills and a passion for STEM fields.
References:
Intuitive. "Robotic-Assisted Surgery with Da Vinci Systems." Intuitive, www.intuitive.com/en-us/patients/da-vinci-robotic-surgery. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Robotnik. "Recent Developments in Robotics." Collaborative Robotics, 30 Dec. 2022, robotnik.eu/recent-developments-in-robotics/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
SoftBank Robotics. us.softbankrobotics.com/pepper. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Torok, Rob. "Benefits of Classroom Robotics." Think like an Engineer, 3 May 2022, community.legoeducation.com/blogs/31/201. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
TWI. "What Is Industrial Automation and Robotics?" TWI, www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-industrial-automation-and-robotics#:~:text=Industrial%20automation%20and%20robotics%20are,%2C%20speed%2C%20quality%20and%20performance. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.