Top 5 Robotics Rules Every Roboticist Must Follow
As the world moves towards automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics is becoming an increasingly popular field. Robotics involves the design, development, and implementation of robots to perform a variety of tasks, from industrial work to medical operations. Regardless of the application, every roboticist should follow some essential rules to ensure the success and safety of their work. Here are the top 5 Robotics rules every roboticist must follow.
Rule 1: Safety First
Robotics involves working with complex machines that can inflict serious injuries if not handled with care. Therefore, safety is the utmost priority for any roboticist. It is essential to use protective gear when working with robots, such as gloves, safety glasses, and anti-static mats. Moreover, roboticists must ensure that their robots have proper risk assessments, safety instructions, and emergency stop buttons.
A classic example of the importance of safety in Robotics is Honda’s failure to ensure the safety of its ASIMO robot before its public demonstration in 2015. As a result, the robot fell and injured one of the staff members, causing the company to postpone their public showcase.
Rule 2: Continuous Learning
Robotics is a fast-paced field, with technological advancements happening every day. Therefore, roboticists must stay updated with the latest developments and continuously learn new things. They can do this by reading academic journals, attending conferences, participating in online courses, or even working on new projects.
Learning from past successes and failures can also be beneficial for improving future work. For example, in 2015, a team of roboticists from MIT designed a soft robotic fish that could swim like a real fish. The project’s success came from the teams’ prior experience in underwater robots.
Rule 3: Collaborate and Share Knowledge
Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential in Robotics as the field relies on interdisciplinary knowledge. Roboticists need collaborations with experts in various fields, such as software design, electronics, mechanics, and AI. Collaborating can improve designs, solve problems, and facilitate innovation.
Moreover, sharing knowledge can benefit both the individuals involved and the Robotics community as a whole. Open-source resources, like ROS (Robot Operating System), have allowed roboticists around the world to test and share codes, designs, and models.
Rule 4: Test, Test, Test
Testing is an integral part of Robotics development. It helps identify and address errors, improve the design, and ensure usability. For example, before sending a surgical robot into an OR, roboticists should test its functionality, accuracy, and safety.
Moreover, testing can help identify unforeseen problems that might arise from real-world conditions. In 2016, Uber discovered that their self-driving cars had difficulty crossing bike lanes during testing, which led them to modify the software to improve safety.
Rule 5: Focus on the User
The ultimate goal of Robotics is to create machines that can perform tasks that are challenging, dangerous, or impossible for humans. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the user experience. The robotics design should take into consideration the user’s needs, preferences, and limitations.
One example of a user-focused robot is the Baxter robot by Rethink Robotics. The Baxter robot is designed to learn from its users and adapt to their needs. Its interface is intuitive, making it easy for users to operate and adjust its movements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robotics is a fascinating and rapidly growing field. However, every roboticist must follow some fundamental rules to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and usability of their work. Safety should always come first, followed by continuous learning, collaboration, testing, and user-focused design. Following these rules will undoubtedly lead to the successful implementation of robotic systems in various fields.
