Industrial IoT Meets Robotics: How Smart Robots Transform Factories

While the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics are unique technologies, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly blurring the lines that separate the two. Now that robots can learn from IoT collected data, robots are being programmed to take corrective and predictive actions not previously seen until now.

To fully appreciate these advancements, one needs to look at the traditional capabilities of each technology. While both technologies rely on sensors, IoT devices utilize sensors to gather data and communicate information to other processing devices that have dedicated tasks. An example of this is the resetting of a building thermostat upon a significant temperature change, or the real-time reprogramming of traffic signals upon the monitoring of traffic levels.

Robotics, on the other hand, uses sensors to help control the robot’s movements, tasks, and motion paths. Examples of this are robots that lift heavy objects on a factory floor or travel down an aisle in a warehouse without contacting someone or something.

How the Internet of Robotic Things Works

The Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) is a new concept that significantly leverages AI. The premise is intelligent technology can be used to monitor and then manipulate events by combining robots’ sensor data and IoT device data to decide on a calculated course of action that could control objects in the physical world.

In a perfect world, IoRT takes advantage of the vast amounts of AI algorithms from an array of IoT sources to enhance the robot’s sensing capabilities above and beyond their current embedded sensors.

By strategically utilizing AI, the IoRT world is also experiencing new advances via shared learning among robots and humans alike. Thanks to the abundance of low-cost and powerful edge computing capabilities, robots can analyze and process large amounts of data to make smart decisions in real-time based on trained AI models. Because robots already have a processor embedded in their system, they can execute decisions themselves, as opposed to having to deal with the latency involved in communicating with the cloud. This way robots can not only act quickly, but also evolve and fine tune their behaviors perpetually.

How Builders of Connected Systems Can Leverage Internet of Robotic Things

Robotics is already revolutionizing manufacturing. The fusion between robots and IoT technology have significantly improved supply chain operations. In the face of the challenges of rising e-commerce demands and warehouse worker shortages brought about by the pandemic, IoRT has helped to greatly streamline industry processes in several ways. An example of this is Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). AGVs are automated sensor driven machines that work to navigate the warehouse floor. They not only perform at a faster rate than a human worker, but they also work 24 hours per day, seven days a week. AGVs also eliminate the chance of any human error.

There is no doubt that the use of robotic automation in the manufacturing supply chain can boost efficiency, productivity, and revenue. To realize the full benefit of IoRT though, businesses must effectively converge IoRT and other IoT sources with a holistic strategy that serves the needs of the business and its customers. This is where design engineers and builders of connected systems want to do the thinking for the integrator, the solution provider, and the end user.

By taking a predictive approach to IoRT and designing a use specific IoT, robotics, and an AI-infused system, the ability to ultimately deploy the solution is greatly improved for all involved.