The rising potential of human-machine collaborations.
A thought leadership report that looks at the future potential of
robotics, resulting in more intuitive, intelligent and interconnected
human-machine communications and collaborations has just been published.
“The Molex 2024
Robotics Report: How Robotics will Empower Human Potential” contemplates
a future where highly advanced robotics systems and multipurpose robots
transform fundamental aspects of everyday life — from improving how
factories function and students learn to making smart homes more
efficient, elevating patient care and other applications.
“As we explore the role of robotics across various industries, it is
becoming increasingly apparent that the future will be shaped by the
evolving relationship between humans and machines,” said Brian Hauge,
SVP and president, Consumer and Commercial Solutions, Molex. “This
latest industry report sheds light on a promising future of
unprecedented human-machine interactions while underscoring the critical
need for enabling technologies and seamless connections between robotics
systems and their human counterparts to empower faster, more effective
and extremely precise decision making.”
Foundational Technologies Driving Robotics Advancements.
The future of robotics depends in larger part on the continued evolution
of core communications and computing technologies that enable autonomous
operation in dynamic environments. Topping the list is high-speed
connectivity, as robotics systems require low-latency communications and
near-instantaneous data transfers to respond with speed and precision.
While 5G/6G networks will deliver high bandwidth, low latency
communications, it is important to design robotics solutions with
multiple connectivity options, including the ability to switch between
5G and Wi-Fi or satellite networks that provide multi-channel
redundancy.
Equally important, processing data locally on nearby edge devices
ensures uninterrupted, independent operation of robotics systems and
robots. With edge computing, for example, these automated solutions can
process data instantaneously, which is essential for applications
requiring split-second decisions. In most industrial automation or
manufacturing environments, robots are always programmed with fail-safe
protocols that throttle back power and functionality to a safe
operational state if connectivity is disrupted or compromised.
Benefitting from AI/ML and Sensor Fusion Innovations As the biggest
engines behind robotic adaptability, advancements in AI and ML are
crucial. AI algorithms let robots make informed decisions based on
real-time data while adapting quickly to new circumstances, and even
predicting future conditions based on past interactions. Through ML,
robots can analyze patterns to optimize behavior while increasing
efficiency and accuracy by continually learning, adapting and improving
performance. Sensor fusion combines data from different sources, such as
LiDAR, cameras, along with depth and force sensors, to help multipurpose
robots better perceive depth, movement and obstacles in different
settings.
Important Factors in Greater Human-Robot Interactions According to
Molex’s robotics report, robots that can understand, respond to, and
even anticipate human emotional and contextual needs are on the horizon.
With Natural Language Processing (NLP), for instance, robots can follow
spoken commands, engage in dialogue and adjust actions based on
contextual understanding. Additionally, emotional AI enables robots to
recognize and respond to emotional cues by analyzing a human’s tone of
voice or facial expressions. Molex expects this rise in human-centered
interactions to foster a deeper sense of engagement, enabling future
robotics systems and autonomous robots to adapt more readily to complex
home environments, and take on new roles as personalized educational
tutors, indispensable surgery assistants and continuous patient
monitors.
With the arrival of Industry 4.0, collaborative robots, or cobots, are
gaining traction in handling increasingly complicated duties in
industrial settings. Not only can robotics systems and an entire fleet
of robots keep production lines running smoothly, but they can also
anticipate and fix potential manufacturing bottlenecks while helping
engineers design better products. In the future, cobots will redefine
precision and personalization in every environment, including operating
rooms, classrooms and battlefields.
Critical Enabler of Robotic Transformations Major advances in robotic
technologies and greater interaction opportunities will require
innovations in connectivity, power management and data processing.
Molex’s robust portfolio of resilient and reliable connectors will
enable ever-increasing collaboration between humans and machines to
support the most demanding applications across diverse industry sectors.
@MolexConnectors @NapierPR #Pauto #Robotics
