From a simple robotic arm to widespread implementation, there have been many challenges for industrial robots to overcome, including high prices and complex hardware. Early examples were hampered by their infrastructure, having to rely on things like tracks, rails or magnets. They also relied on battery power, which seriously limited their range and performance.
In the past two decades, the impetus of Industry 4.0 has pushed developments ahead at a much faster pace. This doesn’t mean that it’s all plain sailing from here on in – and many challenges in industrial robotics still remain. These seven are the most common:
- Costs
- Lack Of Standards
- Inflexibility
- Safety Concerns
- Workforce Skills
- Workforce Training
- Managing Workflows
Costs
The high costs of implementation are one of the major challenges when installing industrial robotics. The initial integration process is likely to be long, arduous and expensive. The specifications of new tasks may require redesigning the workspace and repurposing robot workers. Even minor modifications to a manufacturing line may demand a specialist integrator.
Trying to implement new robotic systems with existing infrastructures and technologies isn’t easy for large concerns. Smaller-scale SMEs often find the costs unjustifiable or prohibitive. In addition, production volumes and sales levels need to be sustained during the expected ROI period to recoup the initial investment.
Inflexibility
This lack of coordination is a further challenge in industrial robotics. A single manufacturer will not only provide its own hardware, but its own software solutions. Numerous application programming interfaces are then required to coordinate across different devices, and may even necessitate custom software. Current robotics technologies can’t always be easily repurposed, which limits the robots’ potential roles. Even kn