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When the IoT meets robotics, wonders can happen

Most technologies today have been developed to make our lives easier. And that’s exactly what the Internet of Things (IoT) aims to do. If you think of the IoT, images of smart connected appliances will probably pop into your mind. Smart thermostats, ovens, and refrigerators are just some of the devices that can be connected to the internet and to each other. Thanks to the IoT, these solutions can be controlled remotely, which adds more convenience, says Richard van Hooijdonk.

What’s even more remarkable about the IoT is that it can be integrated with other technologies. Take robotics as an example. Even a simple robot can get a lot smarter when it’s connected to the internet. Add some sensors to enable the robot to collect information from its environment, and there you have it – seamless integration of the IoT and robotics. Imagine, for instance, futuristic robots that would notify you instantly if you’ve left your oven on, or robots that could report unusual movement in a factory after-hours. Thanks to the IoT, robots’ capabilities are bound to grow even more in the future.

KUKA’ cloud software connects with robots and collects valuable data

Besides making our homes safer, IoT-enabled robots can also be used for industrial applications. In fact, IoT integration with industrial robots is a growing market, called the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT), and estimates show it will reach $20 billion by 2022. Thanks to the IoT, robots can collect valuable data that’s stored on the cloud, where it’s easily accessible to human operators. That same data allows human workers to analyse machine performance and identify if something is out of place.

For instance, a leading manufacturer of robotic solutions, KUKA, created a cloud-based platform called KUKA Connect. Robots connected to this platform will send data to the cloud and enable human staff to access and analyse it on any device, anytime. In other words, KUKA Connect transforms data into actionable insights. Using graphs or charts, operators can better visualite robot data. This allows human staff to see the state of their robots, as well as to spot issues. The platform will even notify operators about upcoming maintenance events. And with proper maintenance, the robot’s lifecycle will be extended.

How does the IoT automate robot equipment maintenance?

A well-known provider of industrial robots and software tech, ABB Robotics, is experimenting with similar technology. This company realised how time-consuming and expensive robot maintenance can be. Traditional robot maintenance usually relies on a certain schedule. Companies, for instance, usually conduct maintenance “after 10,000 hours of uptime.” But not all robots are the same, and their maintenance schedule depends on a number of factors, including the type of work they perform and how they’re used.

For this reason, ABB Robotics embedded its robots with IoT tech to collect data, based on which operators can adjust the maintenance schedule for each robot individually. If something unusual is happening to the robot, the operator will be informed in real time, which means the issue can be solved immediately without even calling the service provider to the location. This saves the company time and money.

The IoT and robotics are both disruptive technologies, set to change the landscape of various industries. But what’s even more exciting is combining these two entities into one ecosystem. With the help of the IoT, robots could perform tasks more effectively and accurately.

Fleets of robots could communicate with each other, collect data, and monitor their own performance. Humans no longer need to invest their money, time, or energy on monitoring or maintenance, because the IoT will do it for them. All these benefits indicate one thing: there are exciting times ahead of us, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for IoT-enabled robots.

The author of this blog is Richard van Hooijdonk

About the author

International keynote speaker, trend watcher and futurist Richard van Hooijdonk offers inspiring lectures on how technology impacts the way we live, work and do business. Over 420,000 people have already attended his renowned inspiration sessions, in the Netherlands as well as abroad. He works together with RTL television and presents the weekly radio program ‘Mindshift’ on BNR news radio. Van Hooijdonk is also a guest lecturer at Nyenrode and Erasmus Universities.

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