Before investing in an industrial mobile robot, get answers for these five questions.

If you are thinking of moving to a mobile robot or automated guided vehicle (AGV), there are questions that should be asked. BlueBotics chief executive officer, Nicola Tomatis, with a PhD in robotics, covered five key areas to consider before buying mobile robotics.

The manufacturing sector has typically been among the first to benefit from technological innovation, particularly in the field of robotics and automation. Traditional industrial robotic systems usually require the use of peripheral safety equipment and physical barriers for the safety of human co-workers. However, the features designed to protect human workers tend to increase cost and space requirements.

Technology and the manufacturing industry have always worked hand in hand. Recently, however, rapid technological innovation and the Internet have fuelled the ongoing industrial revolution in 2020 where robotic automation is expected to expand its role and impact in various manufacturing settings.

Companies should be looking to benefit from the potential of technologies such as artificial intelligence and edge computing for business success and competitive advantage.

Safety is paramount with collaborative robots and they can be made safer with machine vision and artificial intelligence technology.

Robotic automation can spur greater efficiency, deliver better results, lower costs and increase flexibility, but companies need to have the right tools to make the robot's application successful.

When implemented correctly, robotic automation can spur greater efficiency, deliver better results, lower costs and increase flexibility — for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger-scale manufacturing companies. However, businesses must have a sound and strategic vision of robotic automation before pursuing it. They should understand how it will be introduced and to which applications, outline its potential benefits, and clearly understand the unique budget and operational strategies.

There are a number of roadblocks preventing manufacturers from achieving true Industry 4.0 processes, and at the same time, there are a number of emerging solutions bringing production further into the future.

Collaborative robots are improving efficiency in pharmaceutical research, drug production, and quality control. Collaborative robots offer pharmaceutical applications greater reliability, consistency, and precision.

Implementing industrial robots in a manufacturing setting isn’t as simple as buying the robot and plugging it in. There are many different financial and logistical considerations to take into account before a robot can productively automate anything. While industrial robots may serve a wide variety of purposes, the challenges manufacturers face when implementing them are relatively similar.