One of the axioms of the industry is that it is necessary to produce as efficiently as possible in the shortest possible time. It follows that one of the most important factors in most industrial processes is time, which has been increasingly optimized thanks to process automation. Among them, the search for increasingly sophisticated solutions for “pick and place” logistics work stands out. This is where a new product concept based on a broad portfolio has strongly come in: robotic mobile manipulators.
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Thus, most of the Companies seeking for a mobile manipulator consider how to select the right one. The following describes the main aspects that a good mobile manipulator must comply with.
OMNIDIRECTIONAL MOTION
“Pick and place” tasks are usually random tasks that require variable and indefinite paths. Therefore, to reduce the duration of this type of tasks it is recommended that the robot optimizes the route: the shortest and with the least number of stops. This is where a robot with omnidirectional movement appears to be the most optimal proposal thanks to its versatility of 360º movement.
Assume the following case study. The following image shows the same route that an omnidirectional mobile manipulator and another differential mobile manipulator must perform to do a “multi” pick and place mission.
Disregarding the possible obstacles that the robot should overcome, it has been estimated that the manipulator would take about 20 seconds to “pick” at each point (giving a total of about 3 minutes) with the difference that the differential platform should be redirected before starting the point-to-point offset. By estimating the time of each reorientation turn in approximately 5 seconds (40 seconds in total), it is concluded that the differential manipulator does the same task 1/5 times slower than the omnidirectional.
Based on this example and estimating continuous annual use, the robot with differential kinematics would need up to 40 more days to match the production of the omnidirectional robot. With this theoretical data, it can be concluded that a mobile manipulator with omnidirectional kinematics has the guarantees of reducing production times and, therefore, a reduction of costs in the short or medium term.
USABILITY
Another necessary factor in the decision to buy a mobile manipulator is the usability it brings to the Customer. First of all, it is important that the start up of the robot and the access to its functions is as predictive as possible, thanks to an integrated software interface to interact with the robot.
A good interface must give option to certain functions that speed up the use and maintenance of the mobile manipulator, among which would be essential:
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• Generate missions in a predictive way.
• Check the status of the robot: battery, sensors, motors…
• Robot control.
CONFIGURABILITY
Most Companies value the versatility of the robot when it comes to adapting to its routines. A large part of the robotic mobile platforms on the market have closed software and hardware configurations that do not accept those modifications that the Customer needs. Therefore, it is very important to look for mobile manipulators that allow the implementation of any type of devices or functions that the Client requires for its industrial application. An example would be those Customers who already have robotic arms or camera systems and who need to integrate them into mobile platforms, thus taking advantage of their features without buying new devices.
This type of facilities, again, makes the robot’s adaptation to the industrial environment more agile and bearable. Therefore, it is appropriate to prioritize those mobile manipulators that adapt to the Customer and discard those that only accept predefined closed configurations.
AUTONOMY
It should not be forgotten that the work carried out by a mobile manipulator will complement or replace the workforce of one or more workers over one or more shifts. It is therefore logical to expect that the mobile manipulator selected will be capable of having an autonomy greater than a worker can exercise throughout their working day.
In order not to be constantly aware of the robot’s battery status, it is recommended that the robot has the option of being charged by means of a charging station. This also makes it easier for the robot not to unload and to have more continuous and automated activity.
All the factors that can improve the robot’s autonomy must be taken into account to avoid wasting production time and, therefore, not wasting money.
25 (More!) FAQs about Mobile Manipulation Robots
Robotnik answers 25 more questions that you use to ask us about mobile manipulation, tasks, features, industries, prices and much more!
26. What types of objects can these robots manipulate?
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They can manipulate a large number of objects of different sizes, shapes and textures. From small parts on assembly lines, screws, washers, electronic components or test tubes to 20 kg boxes in warehouses.
27. What are the key features I should look for when purchasing a manipulator mobile robot?
Always evaluate the load capacity of the arm and platform, the reach of the arm, the battery life, the type of sensors and the reliability offered by the manufacturer.
28. How is precision in object manipulation ensured?
The precision of the robotic arm is influenced by force sensors, advanced vision and precise control algorithms that adjust the robot's position and grip in real time.
29. How are mobile manipulation robots integrated into existing manufacturing systems?
They integrate making the necessary adaptations to the plant layout, connecting to management systems (MES/ERP) and coordinating them with other equipment using automation software.
30. What technical challenges does autonomous mobile manipulation face?
Challenges include manipulating irregular objects, navigating unstructured environments, and optimizing energy usage to extend operational time.
31. Can these robots operate in multi-level warehouses?
Yes, certain models can navigate multi-level environments using ramps or elevators, allowing them to operate efficiently in complex warehouse layouts.
32. Can mobile manipulator robots be customized?
Yes, manufacturers like Robotnik offer custom hardware and software adaptations to meet specific industry needs, ensuring that robots can perform specialized tasks, depending on the specific needs of the client.
33. Is it possible to rent a mobile manipulator robot?
Yes, some suppliers offer the option to rent robots for short-term projects or for testing before making a purchase. This is known as Robot as a Service - RaaS.
34. What skills must an operator have to operate a mobile manipulator robot?
One of the biggest advantages of collaborative robotics is that it is not essential for the operator to have a great knowledge in programming or robotics. The Advanced User Interface makes it very easy to operate and control the robot.
35. What is the useful life of a manipulator mobile robot?
The useful life of a mobile manipulator robot generally varies between 5 and 15 years, depending on use, maintenance and operating conditions.
36. How do these robots impact workplace safety?
They improve safety by taking on tasks that are dangerous to humans, such as moving heavy loads or working in unhealthy, toxic, or difficult-to-access environments.
37. Can mobile manipulator robots work in different industries simultaneously?
Yes, a single mobile manipulator robot can work in different industries due to its ability to adapt to different tasks and environments. Their versatility allows them to perform everything from assembly in manufacturing to logistics in warehouses. Their flexible programming and ability to change tools makes them useful in multiple industries.
38. What is the future of mobile manipulator robots?
Advances in mobile manipulation robotics are oriented towards greater autonomous intelligence, greater human-robot interaction and the ability to perform increasingly complex tasks. We are also working so that our robots can be deployed in more and more types of environments, both indoors and outdoors.
39. What type of navigation system do mobile manipulator robots use?
They use navigation based on SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and technologies such as LiDAR, GPS and AI to detect obstacles, optimize routes and adapt to changes in the environment in real time.
40. Can mobile manipulator robots work 24/7?
Yes, with proper configuration and maintenance, they can operate continuously, except for the battery charging time that each model requires.
41. How does the working environment affect the performance of the robot?
The type of environment affects the accuracy of the sensors and the maneuverability of the robot. For example, uneven or poorly lit terrain can make navigation and manipulation difficult, if the robot itself has not been designed to operate in those specific conditions. Both the sensorization included and the IP determined by the manufacturer must be taken into account.
42. Is it possible to control a mobile manipulator robot remotely?
Yes, it is possible and, in fact, a widely used option for applications related to inspection and maintenance, for example. In these cases, remote control is executed via desktop applications or software.
43. What level of precision can these robots achieve when manipulating objects?
Accuracy or repeatability varies by model, but many can operate with millimeter precision. The cobots from Universal Robots, for example, range from ±0.03 mm. or ±0.05 mm.
44. How can manipulative mobile robots be integrated into Industry 4.0?
They integrate into Industry 4.0 by connecting with cyber-physical systems, IoT, and data networks in real time, allowing them to collaborate with other smart devices.
45. What is the impact of mobile manipulation robots on sustainability?
They contribute to sustainability by optimizing the use of resources, reducing waste derived from manufacturing errors and providing certain improvements related to the sustainability of industrial processes. Here we explain more about robotics and sustainability.
46. How is robotics used in precision tasks?
Manipulation robotics allow operations that require high accuracy in areas such as surgery, assembly and advanced manufacturing.
47. What are manipulators used for in hazardous environments?
A manipulator robot is especially useful in tasks that involve risks for operators, such as those that take place in chemical plants or radioactive areas.
48. What are collaborative manipulator robots?
They are robotic arms or mobile manipulators designed to work safely alongside humans, automating repetitive or high-precision tasks in collaborative environments.
49. What industries benefit from robotics?
Sectors such as automotive, medicine, electronics and manufacturing are some of those that use manipulation robotics the most to improve efficiency and precision in their processes.
50. What languages are used to program manipulator robots?
Languages such as ROS, Python or C++ are the most widespread for robotics programming. In this article we go into more depth about each of them, their advantages and characteristics.
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