Bytes and Bolts: The future of manufacturing with the internet of robotic things (IoRT)

Today's factories aren't just getting smarter; they're developing reflexes. Robots equipped with IoT sensors learn to see, hear, and react to their environment in real time.

What is the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT)?

Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) is a network of internet-connected robots equipped with IoT sensors. These sensors allow them to gather data and interpret their surroundings. Often, these robots integrate with other technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing to streamline processing and optimize resource utilization.

Artificial intelligence enhances IoRT machines' ability to perceive and understand their environments. For instance, AI enables them to differentiate between human workers and machinery. While standard IoT sensors can perform similar functions, they lack the precision of artificial intelligence algorithms. Motion, image, and proximity sensors can detect movement, process visual data, and measure distances, but they fall short in analytical capabilities.

Contrary to the traditional perception of robots as clumsy or brutish, the IoRT challenges this notion.

Equipped with IoT sensors and visualization technology, these machines interact with their surroundings more refinedly. They can handle delicate objects without causing damage, navigate intricate spaces, and consciously avoid collisions with human workers.

The applications of IoRT are vast, extending to any environment where traditional robots have been utilized. By incorporating robotic IoT, manufacturers, and warehouses can achieve heightened precision and situational awareness, marking a significant improvement.

Given its relatively nascent stage, various industries are still exploring the potential applications of the Internet of Robotic Things, particularly in manufacturing.

Brief history of the marriage of bytes and bolts

Industrial robotics usage has significantly increased recently, with robot density nearly tripling since 2017. While this success may seem substantial, there's always room for enhancement. Recognizing this potential for improvement, industry professionals turned their attention to IoT.

In response to the growing demand for enhanced IoT capabilities, industry providers have stepped up their efforts to innovate and develop cutting-edge solutions. For example, İnnova has spearheaded the development of the Skywave IoT platform, which serves as the cornerstone of advanced IoT solutions architecture.

Designed to meet the diverse needs of various sectors, including transportation, energy, public services, telecom, and finance, this product offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the demands of critical data applications.

IoT is immensely appealing due to its potential to add substantial value to robotics. Experts forecast an economic impact of up to $16 trillion by 2025. Given both technologies' rapid evolution and increasing value, the decision to integrate them was logical.

Beyond the potential for added value, the marriage of IoT and robotics addresses a longstanding concern in the field: safety.

Safety concerns have long plagued industrial robotics, but worker safety can be significantly enhanced by integrating sensors capable of tracking proximity, motion, and video.

Distinguishing IoRT from traditional IoT

While IoRT and IoT share many similarities, such as utilizing various sensors to gather data about their environments, they diverge in key aspects.

Both IoRT and IoT leverage sensors to convert light, vibration, proximity, motion, or speed information into electrical signals, which are then stored digitally. They also provide data-driven insights for performance and maintenance, such as monitoring a machine's vibration and speed to detect irregular behavior and promptly alert management.

Both technologies also maintain continuous internet connectivity, enabling them to remain online consistently and communicate over a shared network, facilitating coordination and data sharing.

However, the distinctions between them become apparent beyond these commonalities. While traditional IoT devices typically collect data from their surroundings and require integration with other technologies, robotic IoT can analyze and interpret information locally.

While IoT devices can only collect data in real-time, IoRT can respond to new information as it is processed. This allows IoRT to interact with its environment dynamically, reacting to stimuli and events. For instance, a robot equipped with IoRT technology could halt its movement upon sensing the presence of a nearby worker, a functionality that conventional sensors alone would not possess without integration with additional systems.

Robotic IoT in action

Let's dive into practical business scenarios, unveiling real-world applications and concrete instances of IoRT:

• Dynamic workers: Collaborative robots, often called cobots, are a modern breed of industrial robots designed to operate alongside humans in work environments. Equipped with IoT sensors, these robots detect the presence of nearby workers and halt operations when necessary to ensure safety.
• Smart inspectors: Inspection robots equipped with IoT sensors can autonomously inspect infrastructure, machinery, or products for defects, damages, or irregularities. These robots navigate predefined routes, capturing and analyzing real-time data to ensure quality control and identify potential issues before they escalate.
• Swift roamers: Mobile robots, compact and agile in nature, traverse various terrains within warehouses and fulfillment centers, reducing manual labor and improving operational efficiency. Leveraging IoT technology, these robots coordinate movements in real-time, adapting dynamically to their surroundings to avoid obstacles and optimize routes.
• Precision harvesters: Robotic IoT devices are revolutionizing harvesting processes in agriculture. These machines, equipped with sensors and AI algorithms, can detect ripe crops, assess soil conditions, and optimize harvesting techniques. Precision harvesters improve efficiency and yield by automating tasks such as fruit picking or crop spraying while reducing labor costs and environmental impact.
• Interconnected ensemble: Networked robots comprise a collective of IoRT machines synchronized through a shared network. These robots function seamlessly as a unified unit by exchanging data and coordinating actions. Any disruptions or anomalies detected by one robot are promptly communicated to the entire network, enabling swift responses and adjustments.
• Healthcare companions: IoRT is also making strides in the healthcare sector by introducing robotic companions. These assistive robots, embedded with IoT sensors and AI capabilities, provide support to patients and healthcare professionals. From monitoring vital signs to assisting with rehabilitation exercises, healthcare companions enhance patient care and streamline medical workflows.
• Intelligent navigators: Cognitive robots harness the power of AI, cloud computing, and advanced sensors to acquire knowledge about their environment and develop decision-making capabilities. In practical applications, these robots can anticipate user needs and adjust operations accordingly. For instance, in manufacturing settings, cognitive robots may adapt their speed to match human workers, while in warehouses, they may reconfigure picking routes to optimize efficiency and avoid delays.

The future outlook

In recent years, industrial robotics has experienced notable growth, emerging as one of the most rapidly evolving fields that has profoundly transformed manufacturing processes. Recognizing the potential benefits, many manufacturing professionals are exploring the promising prospects of integrating the Internet of Robotic Things into manufacturing operations.

With the increasing popularity of IoT, it appears inevitable that IoRT will soon become the new standard in manufacturing. Already, the industry is actively exploring the applications of IoRT in manufacturing, including collaborative robots and mobile robots.

The integration of Robotic IoT is poised to have a significant and enduring impact on the manufacturing industry. IoRT is expected to enhance manufacturers' return on investment by augmenting an already valuable technology, driving further adoption. The cost-effectiveness of IoRT makes widespread adoption a plausible scenario shortly.