The Transformation of Robotics & Motion Control

Summary

Advances have transformed both the robotics and motion control industries and the costs associated with deploying these innovations have been reduced dramatically. As a result, robotics technology and motion control systems are being deployed across various applications. Traditional technologies, like sensors and actuators, are being used alongside AI, machine learning and edge computing to bring robotics and motion control to life. For example:

• Sensor systems are the primary means through which robots and other autonomous machines gather information about their environments to work safely and effectively.
• Vision systems can be thought of as very specialized sensors. Essentially, vision systems allow robots and autonomous machines to capture, process and interpret visual information from the world around them to make decisions. This is crucial for performing tasks like navigation, inspection and manipulation.
• Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are among the most important factors driving robotics and motion control systems. Essentially, AI and ML enable robots and other autonomous machines to learn from data, adapt to new situations and improve their performance over time.
• Broadly, actuators allow robots and autonomous machines to act upon, or react, to the data gathered from the various sensor systems. Advances in actuators from electric, hydraulic and pneumatic systems have led to more precise, powerful and efficient motion control.
• Edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) technology enable real-time data processing and decision-making at the robot or individual machine level, reducing latency and improving efficiency in robotic systems.

 Manufacturing, automated vehicles and more

Robots and robotic arms have been adopted as control systems and have made it possible for them to carry out precision assembly tasks that require pinpoint accuracy. Vision systems have dramatically improved the speed of quality control and product inspections by allowing automation of many of the tasks. AI and ML have led to a greater understanding of processes and to better resource allocation, energy efficiency and overall process optimization.

Robotics and motion control systems are driving substantial improvements in autonomous vehicle (AV) functionality, safety and efficiency. The perception and sensing functionality of AVs has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, both in terms of accuracy and in the ability to react.  Another area of rapid AV improvement is the motion planning and control functionality. The robotic and motion control hardware inside AVs is now able to compute the safest and most efficient path for the vehicle, all while considering factors like road conditions, traffic and obstacle avoidance.

Many of the same advances in consumer-grade AVs apply to military and aerospace vehicles like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), as well as seagoing drones, called unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In addition to the various vehicle-type drones, there is a whole class of autonomous combat robots currently in use or active development through such programs as the Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System (MAARS) or Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection System (SWORDS).

There has also been a recent push to automate segments of military logistics through the use of autonomous trucks and UGVs. Specifically, to transport supplies and equipment in contested or dangerous areas, reducing the risk to human drivers and ensuring reliable logistics.
 

The future of robotics

The rapid advances in robotics and motion control systems have significantly transformed various industries by driving down costs and enhancing performance across multiple applications. Sensor systems, vision systems, AI and machine learning, advanced actuators and edge computing are the core technologies propelling these innovations forward.

As robotics and motion control systems continue to evolve, their impact will undoubtedly expand, further integrating these technologies into everyday operations.

_{This article originally appeared in AUTOMATION 2024 9^th Annual Automation & Control Trends Report.}