Uses of Robots
The use cases for robots are vast and varied, making them the ideal technology for the future.
APPLICATIONS OF ROBOTICS
- Conservation: Diminishing forest fires
- Manufacturing: working in factories, transportation in warehouses
- Companionship: providing company to elderly individuals.
- Healthcare: assisting in surgical procedures.
- Delivery: food delivery
- Household: vacuuming and mowing the grass.
- Rescue: search-and-rescue missions
- Military Operations: finding and destroying landmines
Robotics in Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry has been using robots for some time now. These robots work alongside humans to test and assemble products efficiently, such as cars and industrial equipment. There are an estimated three million industrial robots in use currently.
Logistics Robots
More and more retailers and logistics companies are finding that they need shipping, handling, and quality control robots. Currently, robots are removing items from shelves, transporting them across the warehouse floor, and packaging them. In addition, an increase in last-mile robots (robots that will autonomously deliver packages to doorsteps) means that people will likely have a face-to-metal-face encounter with a logistics bot in the near future.
Robots for Home
The most popular home robot is likely the Roomba vacuum, however robots have advanced to the point where they can now do things like mow lawns and clean pools.
Travel Robots
Autonomous vehicles are becoming more and more prevalent. These companies - Tesla, Ford, Waymo, Volkswagen, and BMW - are all working on the next wave of travel that will let us sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Rideshare companies Uber and Lyft are also developing autonomous rideshare vehicles that don’t require humans to operate them.
Healthcare Robotics
Robots have made significant advancements in the healthcare industry. Robots are increasingly being used in healthcare, for example Toyota’s healthcare assistants, which help people regain the ability to walk, and TUG, a robot designed to autonomously deliver medicines and other supplies throughout a hospital. These robots are being used to fill and seal COVID-19 testing swabs, and are also being used by some manufacturers to produce PPE and respirators.
