<p id="isPasted">In the market for a robot? A LiDAR sensor? Perhaps a Six Degree of Freedom manipulator?</p><p>You’ve come to the right place. InDro Robotics is pleased to announce its <a href="https://store.indrorobotics.com/" target="_blank">new online store</a> – your one-stop portal for high quality robotic components. Whether it’s a $2500 US <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/theres-a-new-robot-in-town-meet-limo/" target="_blank">LIMO</a> (an amazing tiny R&amp;D powerhouse) or a $80,000 <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/robosense-sets-new-bar-for-affordable-powerful-lidar-sensors/" target="_blank">Robosense LiDAR</a>, we’ve got you covered.</p><p>“We’re incredibly excited about this addition to our offerings,” says Head of R&amp;D Sales Luke Corbeth. “For clients who need a specific component and know what they want, this will streamline the process and get products into their hands more quickly.”</p><p>We’re not talking here about custom builds – something InDro has built a stellar reputation on. But precisely <em>because</em> we’ve done so many custom builds, we’ve been able to identify best-in-class components. And while the majority of our clients come to InDro so that we can do the integration for them, there are some who want to either perform that integration themselves, or simply add a sensor or compute upgrade to an existing robot.</p><p>“Through building all of these robots, we’ve had a front row seat into what works, what doesn’t work, what’s best – and what is most cost-effective,” adds Corbeth. “Over time, we’ve settled on a select few components we use in the vast majority of our builds. So the purpose of the store is that if you want a component that goes into an InDro Robotics build – up to a fully functional quadruped – you can simply order it online from us.”</p><p><em>Below: Manipulator? LiDAR? InDro’s new online store offers a broad but highly curated selection of quality robotics components</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737391378240-store-manipulators-LiDAR-Cameras.png.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Simplifying The Client Journey</h3><p>Through scores of custom builds, including robots for some of the largest tech companies in the world, we’ve identified the most robust and cost-effective components. We’ve also learned that some clients with existing robots want to simply add a sensor or upgrade their compute.</p><p>For those clients who know specifically what they’re after, the online store streamlines the purchasing process. And if you’re unsure precisely which component would be optimal for your application? There are plenty of choices with LiDAR and compute, for example. No worries. Corbeth is still happy to walk you through the options and help you decide on the best choice for your application.</p><p>“In a lot of cases, people will have done their research and know precisely what they want. But, absolutely, I’m always available to have a discussion and ensure they’re choosing exactly what they need,” he says.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>This is not TEMU</h3><p>InDro has zero interest in selling clients something they don’t need, or a component that won’t get the job done. That’s why the offerings in our store have been carefully curated. These are the components our engineers work with every single day – and which go into the custom robots we integrate for clients. Each and every item available online is a product we have confidence in, and which has been proven in the field. Our online store includes multiple options in the following categories:</p><ul><li><strong>Components:&nbsp;</strong>Cameras, compute, LiDAR, mobile manipulators, wireless charging</li><li><strong>Robots:&nbsp;</strong>GO2 quadruped, LIMO Pro, LIMO</li><li><strong>Drones:&nbsp;</strong>Multiple offerings and add-ons from DJI</li></ul><p>But why not simply shop around and buy these somewhere else online? Sure, you could do that. However, you’d be missing out on the InDro after-sales support we are known for. If you have an issue with integrating a component purchased from InDro, Luke is just a phone call away. And, in the rare event he doesn’t have the answer, you have access to our brain trust of engineers at Area X.O to solve your problem. That’s not something you’ll get purchasing online from some faceless, distant distributor.</p><p>Plus, clients get access to InDro’s extensive documentation on these products and their integration.</p><p>“We’re going to share every resource that we use ourselves when building robots to help enable their development,” says Corbeth.</p><p>And, because InDro is an authorised distributor for every component we sell, you don’t run the very real risk of purchasing a grey market product – where manufacturers tend to not honour warranties.</p><p>Plus, there are some smaller items – like that tiny but powerful LIMO R&amp;D robot – where the client knows that’s exactly what they want. (We have one client who has purchased dozens of these robots.) In scenarios like that, there’s no question the online store will speed the process.</p><p>“These smaller ticket items don’t need to go through the same administrative process as our larger custom robots. They can be purchased on a procurement credit card, which completely bypasses the traditional procurement process,” says Corbeth.</p><p>“So, absolutely, this will be an easier way for people to do rapid transactions and get the hardware quickly.”</p><p><em>Below: Can we give you (or sell you) a hand?</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1737391445264-Store-compute-grippers.png.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take&nbsp;</h3><p>We’re pretty excited about the new online store. The components we offer, whether it’s a Robosense LiDAR or a DJI drone, all come with the manufacturer’s warranty – along with InDro’s exhaustive documentation and legendary post-sales support.</p><p>“We’re confident the store will help clients get the quality components they need as quickly as possible,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “I wouldn’t call it the Amazon of robotics – at least not yet – but it will definitely simplify the purchasing process for those clients who know specifically what they want, and get those products in their hands more quickly.”</p><p>The look and feel of the store was conceived by Head of Marketing Carli Parkinson – who worked closely with Luke Corbeth and our engineering staff to select the absolute best range of robotic components (and even robots) for its inventory.</p><p>There’s already a robust selection online. But, of course, as newer specialised products become available and we integrate and test them in our own robots, they’ll be added to the lineup.</p><p>We encourage you to take a <a href="https://store.indrorobotics.com/" target="_blank">spin through the store now</a>. And, if you’re ready to purchase but have any questions, <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank">contact us here.</a> Happy shopping!</p>

InDro Launches New Online Store

Robotics Components in a Click

<p id="isPasted">If you follow our news, you’re likely familiar with our Sentinel inspection robot. It’s been built specifically for monitoring critical assets like electrical substations etc. – places where you need regular eyes on assets without the cost and inconvenience of having a human being on site.</p><p>We are pleased to announce that InDro Robotics has perfected an outdoor enclosure that keeps Sentinel protected from harsh weather, while allowing for wireless recharging.</p><p>“If you imagine a robot in any sort of demanding outdoor environment to improve the longevity of the equipment, you want to keep it away from the elements as much as possible – which is why the enclosure exists,” explains Luke Corbeth, InDro’s Head of R&amp;D Sales.</p><p>“For any demanding outdoor application such as substation inspection, solar farm inspection, etcetera, you’re going to want to keep the robot out of the rain, away from the wind, out of direct heat. These elements are why the enclosure exists.”</p><p>And the best part? Sentinel can autonomously return to that enclosure to rest and recharge completely on its own. And that makes it perfect for even the most distant of assets. If there’s a cellular connection, Sentinel can be a totally remote employee.</p><p><em>Below: The new Sentinel enclosure, on site at our R&amp;D headquarters at Ottawa’s <a href="https://areaxo.com/" target="_blank">Area X.O</a></em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795134866-DSC02602-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel's Enclosure"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">January, February, March…</h3><p>And what comes next? April, of course. And the reason we’re going down this road is because Sentinel finds its roost using a code known as AprilTags. They’re similar to QR codes, but have been designed for 3D orientation. Sentinel’s enclosure uses AprilTags – which are detected by onboard cameras – for the robot to find its way home, and snug up nice and close to its wireless recharging system.</p><p>“The robot is trained to know exactly what these tags look like from every angle,” says Corbeth. “And by looking at these tags, it’s able to determine: ‘Oh, I’m a little bit off in this direction, so I need to make this adjustment.’ That ensures that we have a smooth and reliable docking and undocking sequence every single time the robot goes in and out of the enclosure.”</p><p>There’s a slightly inclined ramp for Sentinel to access this tiny recharging home. And the floor is deliberately a bit slippery in order for Sentinel to fine-tune its docking procedure by, for lack of a better word, drifting inside the enclosure to get its bearings.. And the charging system? Amazing.</p><p>The Wibotics charger is incredibly efficient. One hour of wireless charging is enough for Sentinel to fully recharge and deploy on a five-hour mission. Let’s repeat that: One hour of wireless charging gives Sentinel <em>five hours</em> on the ground.</p><p>The other advantage is that, because it’s wireless, there are no mechanical interfaces. These can be a potential point of failure, which is the last thing you’d want on a remote, autonomous installation. The whole point of these installations is for a robot to take care of things on its own.</p><p>“Anytime you have a mechanical interface, there are usually prongs involved. These can get bent or damaged – which is the last thing you’d want on a remote installation. So wireless charging completely eliminates that potential point of failure,” says Corbeth.</p><p><em>Below: Sentinel in its enclosure. You can see one of the AprilTags, which are used for&nbsp;</em><em>Sentinel to perfectly align with the Wibotics charger</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795187456-DSC02609-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Real World Demo</h3><p>Sentinel has been through multiple iterations as platforms, sensors and &nbsp;compute improve. The newest version uses a wheeled platform (though a separate version with treads is available). Compute is a powerful AI-enabled processor capable of many Trillions of Operations per Second (TOPS). And because we deploy with InDro Controller, our in-house user interface, Sentinel can be easily programmed to repeat highly complex tasks.</p><p>Say, for example, you are particularly interested in the reading on a gauge. The first time you deploy Sentinel using InDro Controller, you would manually adjust the Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera to capture an image of that asset. But once you’ve done it once? InDro Controller remembers the settings – so you can deploy Sentinel on an autonomous mission and it will remember all parameters. It will capture the same image, on its own, during any subsequent deployment. This applies to any sensor, capturing any data.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Hydro Ottawa &nbsp;Demo</h3><p>Recently, InDro got in touch with Hydro Ottawa. We were looking to deploy Sentinel in a real-world situation, and Hydro Ottawa has an electrical substation in the city. We were interested in testing Sentinel in that scenario, and Hydro Ottawa was interested in seeing what Sentinel could do.</p><p>We deployed over the Rogers 5G network, using <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/new-indro-controller-a-simple-solution-to-complex-robotics-missions/" target="_blank">InDro Controller</a> to quickly plot its route and some specific Points of Interest (which did indeed include a gauge). Then we let Sentinel go about its business completely on its own with an autonomous mission.</p><p>The result? Phenomenal. Sentinel captured all the salient data, demonstrating its immense capabilities as a ‘set and forget’ robot. Now that the data is in InDro Controller, Sentinel can carry out the same mission on a schedule with zero human intervention. Data will be automatically uploaded – and Sentinel is even capable of sending alerts if, say, that gauge was sending a reading of concern.</p><p>“We were able to plot a full preventative maintenance mission – and then run it autonomously several times within a two-hour window,” says Corbeth.</p><p>What’s more? It was freezing cold, putting Sentinel to the test in a harsh environment. This is what this robot was built to carry out – and can operate in environments from -20C to +30C.</p><p>And the Hydro Ottawa people?</p><p>“They were blown away,” says Corbeth. “They even told me: ‘Luke, your team should be very proud.'”</p><p>We are.</p><p><em>Below: Sentinel at a Hydro Ottawa substation</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795227848-DSC02754-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel at Hydro Ottawa Substation"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">INDRO’S TAKE</h3><p>Sentinel has been an ongoing project for InDro for several years. We have continually upgraded the product as newer sensors and AI compute capabilities have become available. In conjunction with InDro Controller, this is now a fully commercial product. In fact, we recently shipped three of these to a US client and look forward to reporting on this when they are first deployed (which is happening shortly).</p><p>“Sentinel is one of our core products,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “Our team, both at Area X.O and InDro Forge, have worked very hard on the design and integration of this product. And InDro Controller, under the hands of Head of Software RJ Bundy, is an extremely intuitive and powerful user interface. We look forward to manufacturing many more Sentinels in 2025.”</p><p>Oh. We almost forgot to tell you that Sentinel is available as a quadruped, so it can tackle stairs and more demanding environments. So cool.&nbsp;</p><p>Interested in learning more – including a remote demo where you can take control of Sentinel? Contact us <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

An outdoor enclosure that keeps Sentinel protected from harsh weather, while allowing for wireless recharging.

Wireless Charging Enclosure for Remote Operations

Explore 2D sonar mosaic mapping with Deep Trekker ROVs to create detailed underwater views for inspecting dams, canals, and tunnels in low-visibility waters.

2D Sonar Mosaic Mapping: All You Need to Know

In this episode, we recap our favorite episodes from 2024!

2024 Recap & 2nd Annual Saucies!

<p><span dir="auto" id="isPasted">We’ve adapted motion capture data for Unitree H1, H1-2, and G1 humanoid robots, using numerical optimization methods to make their movement trajectories more natural.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span dir="auto">Open-Source：</span><span dir="auto"><a tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnp6ZlVPN3FwdWRUQ0JISVV0emRpYlBfbkRpQXxBQ3Jtc0tuUEJPbGJ6d3pQUEFOUDJmRVMwcjdXNXZTbnp2TGIzbGhwcUlGcVdrOXBYS0JpMHU1R2RkVVJBS1dBcGVpZU9BXzJpd3N5OTEtSzcxSjh0MEdHZkZaa25fTENDMWMwaVNqNVJrRm9fX0xEdFRBeDFxOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fhuggingface.co%2Fdatasets%2Funitreerobotics%2FLAFAN1_Retargeting_Dataset&v=SdZoEke0GPk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://huggingface.co/datasets/unitr...</a></span></p>

We’ve adapted motion capture data for Unitree H1, H1-2, and G1 humanoid robots, using numerical optimization methods to make their movement trajectories more natural.

Unitree Humanoid Robots Updated With Open-Source Full-Body Motion Dataset

<p id="isPasted">Traditional operating rooms are evolving into precision hubs filled with innovation where augmented intelligence and real-time imaging technology are essential components in surgical care. This move toward robotics in healthcare is critical to the pursuit of surgical excellence that will enhance a surgeon’s skills as well as improve patient outcomes.</p><p>Using advanced technologies, surgeons are successfully overcoming the limitations of the human hand and eye. Augmented intelligence is building on a layer of decision-making support that complements a surgeon’s expertise, and real-time imaging is making sure that augmented reality is continually updated with vital information. These advances are setting the stage for a future where surgical intervention is reliable, complications are reduced, and recovery times are shortened. A new age of healthcare is upon us.</p><p>Big trends like this come to light each year at the Robotics Summit in Boston. The show helps the industry prepare for the next phase in robotics. At this year’s show, taking place May 1 and 2,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.roboticssummit.com/" target="_blank" data-internal="false" rel="noopener">healthcare robotics</a> will be trending, and this time, with a focus on revolutionizing surgery.</p><p>Dustin Vaughan of Asensus Surgical will be leading a session, “Leveraging Real-Time Data Insights in the Operating Room<em>,</em>”<em>&nbsp;</em>weighing in on technology integration, surgical applications, data and privacy, and cost and accessibility. The Asensus next-generation digital surgery platform, LUNA, is designed to elevate the standards of robotic-assisted surgery. It incorporates advanced hardware and software, and features a surgeon console, interactive touchscreen, and Ultra-HD 3D monitor for enhanced visibility. With four robotic arms for various procedures and a unique instrument drive for a range of advanced tools, it’s a leading example of the industry’s cutting-edge developments.</p><p>The LUNA platform represents just a slice of the broader movement toward integrating sophisticated robotic systems into healthcare. As the Robotics Summit is sure to show, this shift is not just about augmenting the capabilities of surgeons but fundamentally transforming patient care.</p><h2 id="isPasted">Performance-Guided Surgery</h2><p>Across the many Robotics Summit sessions devoted to healthcare robotics, there will be a recurring focus on performance-guided surgery (PGS), which has been a major advancement in robotic-assisted surgeries. The fundamental purpose of PSG is to provide real-time intelligence during surgeries and promote consistency.</p><p>At the core of this innovation is the Intelligent Surgical Unit<sup>™</sup> (ISU<sup>™</sup>) and the digital powerhouse of the Senhance<sup>®</sup> Surgical System, the first augmented intelligence system to receive FDA approval for surgical use. The ISU<sup>™</sup> enriches the surgical experience with its advanced features like haptic feedback, which provides surgeons the ability to “feel” the anatomy through the robot as if they were directly touching it, eye-tracking camera control that moves the camera based on the surgeon's gaze, and 3D visualization for a comprehensive view of the surgical field. These tools are crucial for addressing the inherently variable nature of surgical procedures, aiming for consistently superior patient outcomes every time.</p><p>The ISU's augmented intelligence capability enhances intraoperative procedures with 3D digital measurements of anatomical structures to millimeter precision, facilitating accurate straight-line and curved measurements. It also generates digital tags that act as both landmarks and educational tools, improving communication in the operating room and reducing the risk of accidental injuries.</p><p>The potential of PGS relies significantly on the seamless integration of robotics engineering and medicine. Achieving this ensures that existing technologies and hospital information stems work harmoniously with the new robotic platforms and do not disrupt surgical workflow. Even with this great potential, though, comes the question of accessibility.</p><h2>Surgical Robots for All?</h2><p>A focus on cost and accessibility has become a rising concern across the medical robotics industry. Healthcare providers want to offer these advanced medical services, but they must manage budget constraints. Many medical robotics companies are working to address these challenges by deploying several strategies such as modular design, leasing models, scaled-down models, and focusing on reduced operating times.</p><p>Leaders in this space, such as Vaughan, emphasize the greater good as an overall goal. Vaughan recognizes how the focus on “enabling clinicians to make surgery more predictable and accessible” speaks volumes about the industry's direction. But to serve the greater good, these robotic systems need to be available to all. The challenges and solutions to making this a reality will also be discussed throughout the healthcare robotics sessions in Boston.</p><p>For Asensus Surgical, one of the most fundamental aspects of their vision involves making this revolutionary technology accessible. “Achieving genuinely aggressive cost targets... is absolutely a core requirement,” Vaughan explains. “Our internal engineering team and our manufacturing partner, Flex, have focused on developing a capable LUNA platform that is economically viable as we navigate the changing healthcare landscape. With the migration of some of our supported procedures into ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), we realized early in the process that we have to achieve an aggressive cost target for individual surgical cases. This requires a holistic evaluation of a hospital's workflow and their fully burdened cost of a robotic case.”</p><p>This emphasis on cost-effectiveness and accessibility could democratize robotic surgery, making it available to a wider range of healthcare facilities, including those with tighter budgets.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>As we look toward the Robotics Summit and beyond, we see that technology and healthcare are at an exciting point. With many companies on this mission to make robotics and augmented intelligence a staple of the operating room, the future of surgery is about creating a more predictable, accessible, and secure healthcare landscape for everyone.</p>

The evolution of traditional operating rooms into precision hubs with augmented intelligence and real-time imaging at the forefront is showcased at the Robotics Summit, highlighting innovations like Asensus Surgical's LUNA platform that enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Intelligent Robots Are the Future of Surgery

<section id="isPasted"><h2>What Are Hull Inspections</h2><p>In the vast expanse of the ocean, where container ships traverse like modern-day superhighways, ensuring uninterrupted global trade relies significantly on the integrity of vessel hulls. The term "hull" encompasses the outer shell of a ship, subjected to constant interaction with water. Hull inspections entail meticulous examinations of this crucial component, vital for maintaining the vessel's structural soundness, operational safety, and efficiency. Whether exposed or covered with a deck, the hull plays a crucial role in the ship's framework, serving as the primary barrier against leaks.</p><p>Given the extensive expanse of ship hulls and their constant interaction with water, routine hull inspections are critically important. These inspections are essential due to the diverse range of interconnected elements, scenarios, and possible defects, and are instrumental in optimizing vessel performance.</p></section><section><h2>Significance of Hull Inspections</h2><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/3YwWuh97P77FJqavh93bXh/2d6802d2691a3e3d77474768018ed118/image6__3_.jpg" alt="DTG3 Ship Inspection -cta" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Hull inspections are crucial for safeguarding maritime safety and operational integrity. By meticulously examining a ship's outer structure, these inspections identify and mitigate vulnerabilities such as corrosion, fractures, and material degradation. This preventive approach not only averts potential leaks and structural failures but also enhances the safety of crew members, passengers, and the marine environment.</p><p>Furthermore, adherence to regulatory standards, enhanced operational efficiency, and prolonged vessel lifespan reinforce the multifaceted importance of regular hull assessments in sustaining a reliable and environmentally responsible maritime industry.</p></section><section><h3>Defect Identification and Structural Integrity</h3><p>The hull acts as the first line of defense against water intrusion. From superficial scrapes to critical fractures, these assessments uncover various anomalies that could compromise the vessel's integrity. By detecting and addressing issues promptly, such as leaks, corrosion, or material weakening, inspectors mitigate the risk of escalating structural concerns that could jeopardize maritime safety and operational efficiency.</p><h3>Port Security</h3><p>Beyond structural considerations, hull inspections play a pivotal role in fortifying port security and mitigating potential risks. By scrutinizing the ship's exterior for anomalies, unauthorized alterations, or suspicious items, inspectors uphold security protocols and regulatory compliance. This proactive approach not only safeguards ports and coastal regions from potential threats but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining safety standards and preventing hazardous substances from infiltrating waterways.</p><h3>Mitigating Ecological Impact</h3><p>Fouling, the accumulation of marine organisms on a vessel's hull, poses ecological risks, including the introduction of invasive species and ecosystem disturbances. Regular hull inspections and maintenance endeavors are instrumental in mitigating this issue, preserving marine ecosystems, and curbing the proliferation of harmful species. Through proactive measures, such as antifouling paint assessments, operators can minimize ecological impact, uphold operational efficiency, and adhere to environmental stewardship principles.</p></section><section><h3>Checking Antifouling Paint</h3><p>Antifouling paint is applied to a ship's hull to prevent the buildup of marine organisms, such as barnacles, mussels, and algae, which can significantly impact the vessel's performance. Regular inspections ensure that the antifouling paint remains effective, preventing excessive fouling that can increase drag, reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%, and compromise the ship's maneuverability.</p><p>By examining the condition of the antifouling paint during hull inspections, ship operators can identify any degradation or growth of organisms and take timely measures to maintain optimal performance, reduce operational costs, and minimize the ecological impact on marine ecosystems.</p></section><section><h2>Challenges Involved in Traditional Hull Inspection Methods</h2><p>Traditional hull inspection methods present several notable challenges. These methods are often costly and time-consuming, involving manual inspections by divers or technicians, leading to extended downtime for vessels.</p><p>Additionally, human error, limited accessibility to certain areas, and inconsistent data collection and analysis further compound the drawbacks. The costs associated with labor, equipment, and potential repairs are substantial. To address these issues, there's a growing interest in adopting advanced technologies, such as ROVs, for more efficient and comprehensive hull inspections.</p><h3>Time intensive procedures</h3><p>Conventional hull inspections demand considerable time investments. Manual assessments, involving diver or technician intervention, extend the inspection timeline, particularly for larger vessels. Factors such as scheduling diver availability, coordinating with surveyors, and obtaining necessary permits contribute to prolonged downtime for ships, disrupting operational schedules.</p><h3>Deployment Logistics</h3><p>Preparing for and deploying inspection teams, equipment, and tools can also be time-consuming. This includes assembling diving gear, positioning boats, and coordinating personnel, and it’s also important to note that ships must be disabled before working. Delays in deployment can further contribute to the overall time required for inspections.</p><h3>Limited Underwater Visibility</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/77NtYl6EqyShtw7MEDOMqn/8e5393a946440f848bd83c1f48182854/ROV_Looking_at_Phone.jpg" alt="DTG3 underwater murky waters" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Underwater visibility limitations present significant hurdles to accurate hull assessments. Murky water, sedimentation, and inadequate lighting obscure defect detection, potentially resulting in oversight or misinterpretation of critical issues.</p><p>Compass navigation can also be difficult in harsh conditions, presenting a challenge to divers and increasing the potential risks involved. Photos and conditions are noted manually, as well, which can be dependent on the weather and prone to human error.</p><h3>Safety Concerns</h3><p>Hull inspections come with inherent safety risks, especially when conducted by divers taking on tasks in complex environments. Divers may encounter low visibility, extreme temperatures, strong currents that can make maneuvering difficult and increase the chances of collision with objects or vessels, electrical hazards from equipment, and other dangerous or unpredictable conditions.</p><p>There is also the potential for accidents, injuries, or health risks associated with prolonged exposure to underwater environments, such as decompression sickness and exposure to dangerous marine life.</p></section><section><h2>Enhancing Hull Inspections with ROVs</h2><p>ROVs are revolutionizing the field of hull inspection by offering a transformative approach to assessing the condition of a ship's exterior. These advanced underwater robots are equipped with high definition cameras, sensors, and manipulation tools, allowing them to navigate intricate spaces and gather accurate data without the need for direct human intervention. The integration of ROVs in hull inspections streamlines operations, enhances safety, and facilitates data-driven decision-making, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable maritime industry.</p><h3>Target Identification With Sonar</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/6kjHANIlfEIo4qbGs7LdjK/b80d503170f1d68fa42d0c1fe46db5fc/MP1.png" alt="Advanced Data Capture" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>By harnessing sonar capabilities, ROVs empower maritime professionals to navigate complex underwater environments, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data collection during hull inspections. This integration of ROVs with sonar technology can provide a clear perspective in murky, or low visibility conditions, visualize a ship or object from a distance, identify structural areas of interest, and can swiftly and precisely locate potential anomalies, such as cracks or corrosion, even in challenging underwater conditions.</p><p>This advancement enhances the accuracy and efficiency of inspections by providing detailed real-time imagery and data, enabling maritime experts to make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs. The synergy of ROVs and sonar technology can expedite inspections, minimize downtime, and ultimately contribute to safer, more efficient, and cost-effective maritime operations.</p><h3>Mitigating Risks for Divers</h3><p>One of the greatest advantages of utilizing ROVs for hull inspections is the ability to minimize risks to human personnel. The integration of ROVs eliminates the necessity for divers to engage in perilous tasks like deep diving, operating in low visibility, unsafe surroundings, or enduring extreme temperatures. These underwater robots can access challenging or hazardous areas unsuitable for human divers, consequently diminishing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.</p><p>ROVs also enable real-time monitoring of divers from topside supervisors, meticulous inspections, and data gathering, facilitating precise risk evaluations and well-informed decision-making. Collectively, the incorporation of ROVs into diving operations offers significant promise in enhancing dive safety and safeguarding the welfare of divers.</p></section><section><h3>Cost and Time Efficiency</h3><p>By replacing the need for manual, diver-based inspections, ROVs significantly reduce labor costs and operational expenses, don’t require extensive permits and paperwork, and can be deployed in a matter of minutes by a single operator. These underwater robots can also swiftly maneuver through complex structures, access hard-to-reach areas with ease, and conduct inspections in a fraction of the time it would take human divers.</p><p>The real-time data capture capabilities of ROVs also accelerates the inspection process, enabling timely identification of potential issues. As a result, the integration of ROVs in hull inspection not only enhances accuracy and thoroughness but also delivers substantial savings in both time and resources, ultimately optimizing the overall efficiency of maritime maintenance practices.</p><h3>Recording Capabilities</h3><p>Equipped with high-definition cameras and sensors, ROVs facilitate detailed data capture and documentation during hull inspections. Recorded imagery and sensor data serve as comprehensive records, aiding in defect identification and tracking changes over time. This digital record enhances transparency, supports informed decision-making, and fosters effective communication among stakeholders, amplifying the precision and reliability of hull inspection processes.</p></section><section><h2>Hull Inspection Using Deep Trekker ROVs</h2><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/4M0wQHlOHc0cx0eZllaYxZ/750e73f43ff09cfed1ac8a7b05e02841/deep_trekker_family_of_rovs.webp" alt="Family photo group glamour shot full res" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Deep Trekker leads the industry with innovative solutions designed to prioritize safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction in hull inspections for the defense and security sector. Our ROVs are at the forefront of underwater inspection technology, offering portability, ease of operation, and affordability. Equipped with state-of-the-art features including 4K cameras and powerful LED floodlights, our ROVs redefine the standards for hull inspections, ensuring comprehensive assessments with unmatched precision and efficiency. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every aspect of our products and services, guaranteeing unparalleled reliability and performance</p><p>Take a look at a couple of our robotic systems for hull inspections in the defense and security industry:</p><h3>REVOLUTION ROV</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://downloads.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/4H4NjDluiIL0HzoHj9U7RF/0aaf965ab8e7fe2b67793651ffd272ac/REV_Standalone.png" alt="REVOLUTION at Pier" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>The <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/products/underwater-rov/deep-trekker-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REVOLUTION</a> stands out as an exceptionally user-friendly and stable ROV for intricate underwater missions, powered by field-swappable lithium-ion batteries for extended portable usage. Driven by six powerful vectored thrusters, it offers unparalleled control and precise station holding capabilities. Additionally, it boasts an enhanced 4K camera for identifying smaller defects, featuring an expansive 260° field of view, a depth rating of 305 meters (1000 feet), and exceptionally bright LED floodlights.</p><p>With tether options up to 500 meters (1,640 feet), the REVOLUTION ensures extensive operational range. It also harnesses the power of BRIDGE technology and effortlessly integrates with an extensive range of add-ons and sensors, including sonar and visualization systems for up-close inspections in murky conditions, stability and positioning systems, thickness gauge integration for structural inspections, and many more industry-specific tools, guaranteeing seamless mission execution.</p><h3>Expert Guidance for Your Projects</h3><p>Our team of seasoned industry professionals stands ready to offer <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expert guidance and support</a> to seamlessly integrate Deep Trekker ROVs into your projects. From initial consultation to customized solutions tailored to your specific requirements, we are dedicated to ensuring the success of your underwater inspection endeavors. Contact us today to embark on your journey with Deep Trekker.</p></section>

Ship hull with biofouling during an inspection with a Deep Trekker ROV

Discover how ROVs revolutionize defense and security missions, ensuring vessel hull safety and integrity. Explore cutting-edge robotic technology.

ROVs for Defense and Security Hull Inspection

<p><span dir="auto" id="isPasted"><span dir="auto">The humanoid robot driven by the robot AI world model unlocks many new skills!&nbsp;</span></span></p><p><span dir="auto"><span dir="auto">Strong power is waiting for you to develop!</span></span></p><p><span dir="auto"><span dir="auto">Breaking the full-size humanoid speed world record of 3.3m/s (the previous record was about 2.5m/s) Full body dynamic coordinated dance: Subject3&nbsp;</span></span></p><p><span dir="auto"><span dir="auto">Touch the height in place etc.&nbsp;</span></span></p><p><span dir="auto"><span dir="auto">More introduction: www.unitree.com/h1</span></span></p><p><br></p><h2><br></h2>

[full-size humanoid] Evolution V3.0

Unitree H1 Breaking humanoid robot speed world record

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">If someone advises you to “know your limits,” they’re likely suggesting you do things like exercise in moderation. To a robot, though, the motto represents learning constraints, or limitations of a specific task within the machine’s environment, to do chores safely and correctly.</p><p dir="ltr">For instance, imagine asking a robot to clean your kitchen when it doesn’t understand the physics of its surroundings. How can the machine generate a practical multistep plan to ensure the room is spotless? Large language models (LLMs) can get them close, but if the model is only trained on text, it’s likely to miss out on key specifics about the robot’s physical constraints, like how far it can reach or whether there are nearby obstacles to avoid. Stick to LLMs alone, and you’re likely to end up cleaning pasta stains out of your floorboards.</p><p dir="ltr">To guide robots in executing these open-ended tasks, researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) used vision models to see what’s near the machine and model its constraints. The team’s strategy involves an LLM sketching up a plan that’s checked in a simulator to ensure it’s safe and realistic. If that sequence of actions is infeasible, the language model will generate a new plan, until it arrives at one that the robot can execute.</p><p dir="ltr">This trial-and-error method, which the researchers call “Planning for Robots via Code for Continuous Constraint Satisfaction” (PRoC3S), tests long-horizon plans to ensure they satisfy all constraints, and enables a robot to perform such diverse tasks as writing individual letters, drawing a star, and sorting and placing blocks in different positions. In the future, PRoC3S could help robots complete more intricate chores in dynamic environments like houses, where they may be prompted to do a general chore composed of many steps (like “make me breakfast”).</p><p dir="ltr">“LLMs and classical robotics systems like task and motion planners can’t execute these kinds of tasks on their own, but together, their synergy makes open-ended problem-solving possible,” says PhD student Nishanth Kumar SM ’24, co-lead author of a new paper about PRoC3S. “We’re creating a simulation on-the-fly of what’s around the robot and trying out many possible action plans. Vision models help us create a very realistic digital world that enables the robot to reason about feasible actions for each step of a long-horizon plan.”</p><p dir="ltr">The team’s work was presented this past month in a paper shown at the Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL) in Munich, Germany.</p><p dir="ltr"><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBq0EeFSsPo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><em>Teaching a robot its limits for open-ended chores. MIT CSAIL</em></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The researchers’ method uses an LLM pre-trained on text from across the internet. Before asking PRoC3S to do a task, the team provided their language model with a sample task (like drawing a square) that’s related to the target one (drawing a star). The sample task includes a description of the activity, a long-horizon plan, and relevant details about the robot’s environment.</p><p dir="ltr">But how did these plans fare in practice? In simulations, PRoC3S successfully drew stars and letters eight out of 10 times each. It also could stack digital blocks in pyramids and lines, and place items with accuracy, like fruits on a plate. Across each of these digital demos, the CSAIL method completed the requested task more consistently than comparable approaches like <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.11552">“LLM3”</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2209.07753">“Code as Policies”</a>.<br><br>The CSAIL engineers next brought their approach to the real world. Their method developed and executed plans on a robotic arm, teaching it to put blocks in straight lines. PRoC3S also enabled the machine to place blue and red blocks into matching bowls and move all objects near the center of a table.</p><p dir="ltr">Kumar and co-lead author Aidan Curtis SM ’23, who’s also a PhD student working in CSAIL, say these findings indicate how an LLM can develop safer plans that humans can trust to work in practice. The researchers envision a home robot that can be given a more general request (like “bring me some chips”) and reliably figure out the specific steps needed to execute it. PRoC3S could help a robot test out plans in an identical digital environment to find a working course of action — and more importantly, bring you a tasty snack.</p><p dir="ltr">For future work, the researchers aim to improve results using a more advanced physics simulator and to expand to more elaborate longer-horizon tasks via more scalable data-search techniques. Moreover, they plan to apply PRoC3S to mobile robots such as a quadruped for tasks that include walking and scanning surroundings.</p><p dir="ltr">“Using foundation models like ChatGPT to control robot actions can lead to unsafe or incorrect behaviors due to hallucinations,” says The AI Institute researcher Eric Rosen, who isn’t involved in the research. “PRoC3S tackles this issue by leveraging foundation models for high-level task guidance, while employing AI techniques that explicitly reason about the world to ensure verifiably safe and correct actions. This combination of planning-based and data-driven approaches may be key to developing robots capable of understanding and reliably performing a broader range of tasks than currently possible.”</p><p dir="ltr">Kumar and Curtis’ co-authors are also CSAIL affiliates: MIT undergraduate researcher Jing Cao and MIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professors Leslie Pack Kaelbling and Tomás Lozano-Pérez. Their work was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Naval Research, the Army Research Office, MIT Quest for Intelligence, and The AI Institute.</p>

PhD students Aidan Curtis (left) and Nishanth Kumar. To help robots execute open-ended tasks safely, the researchers used vision models to see what’s near the machine and model its constraints. Their “PRoC3S” strategy has an LLM sketch up an action plan that’s checked in a simulator to ensure it will work in the real world. Credits: Mike Grimmett/MIT CSAIL

The “PRoC3S” method helps an LLM create a viable action plan by testing each step in a simulation. This strategy could eventually aid in-home robots to complete more ambiguous chore requests.

Teaching a robot its limits, to complete open-ended tasks safely

<p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2dl6UW6FHDc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span></p><p id="isPasted">“As the crow flies” is a common idiom referring to the shortest distance between two points, but the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lis/">LIS</a>), led by Dario Floreano, in EPFL’s School of Engineering has taken the phrase literally with RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments). Designed based on perching birds like ravens and crows that frequently switch between air and land, the multifunctional robotic legs allow it to take off autonomously in environments previously inaccessible to winged drones.</p><p>“Birds were the inspiration for airplanes in the first place, and the Wright brothers made this dream come true, but even today’s planes are still quite far from what birds are capable of,” says LIS PhD student Won Dong Shin. “Birds can transition from walking to running to the air and back again, without the aid of a runway or launcher. Engineering platforms for these kinds of movements are still missing in robotics.”</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shorts?/b7j_8eWjA_g?feature=share&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><br></p><p id="isPasted">RAVEN’s design is aimed at maximizing gait diversity while minimizing mass. Inspired by the proportions of bird legs (and lengthy observations of crows on EPFL’s campus), Shin designed a set of custom, multifunctional avian legs for a fixed-wing drone. He used a combination of mathematical models, computer simulations, and experimental iterations to achieve an optimal balance between leg complexity and overall drone weight (0.62kg). The resulting leg keeps heavier components close to the ‘body’, while a combination of springs and motors mimics powerful avian tendons and muscles. Lightweight avian-inspired feet composed of two articulated structures leverage a passive elastic joint that supports diverse postures for walking, hopping, and jumping.</p><p>“Translating avian legs and feet into a lightweight robotic system presented us with design, integration, and control problems that birds have solved elegantly over the course of evolution,” Floreano says. “This led us to not only come up with the most multimodal winged drone to date, but also to shed light on the energetic efficiency of jumping for take-off in both birds and drones.” The research has been&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published in&nbsp;</a><em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature</a>.</em></p><p><strong>Better access for deliveries or disaster relief</strong></p><p>Previous robots designed to walk have been too heavy to jump, while robots designed to jump did not have feet suitable for walking. RAVEN’s unique design allows it to walk, traverse gaps in terrain, and even to jump up onto an elevated surface 26 centimeters high. The scientists also experimented with different modes of flight initiation, including standing and falling take-off, and they found that jumping into flight made the most efficient use of kinetic energy (speed) and potential energy (height gain). The LIS researchers teamed up with Auke Ijspeert of EPFL’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob/">BioRobotics Lab</a>, and with Monica Daley's&nbsp;<a href="https://neuromechanics.bio.uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neuromechanics Lab</a> at University of California, Irvine, to adapt bird biomechanics to robotic locomotion.</p><blockquote><p>These results represent just a first step towards a better understanding of design and control principles of multi-modal flying animals, and their translation into agile and energetically efficient drones.</p><footer>Prof. Dario Floreano, head, Laboratory of Intelligent Systems</footer></blockquote><p>In addition to elucidating the costs and benefits of powerful legs in birds that frequently transition between air and ground, the results offer a lightweight design for winged drones that can move on rough terrain and take off from restricted locations without human intervention. These capabilities enable the use of such drones in inspection, disaster mitigation, and delivery in confined areas. The EPFL team is already working on improved design and control of the legs to facilitate landing in a variety of environments.</p><p>"Avian wings are the equivalent of front legs in terrestrial quadrupeds, but little is known about the coordination of legs and wings in birds – not to mention drones. These results represent just a first step towards a better understanding of design and control principles of multimodal flying animals, and their translation into agile and energetically efficient drones," Floreano says.</p><hr><p><strong id="isPasted">References</strong></p><p>Shin, W.D., Phan, HV., Daley, M.A. et al. Fast ground-to-air transition with avian-inspired multifunctional legs. Nature 636, 86–91 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9</p>

RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments) © Alain Herzog CC BY SA

EPFL researchers have built a drone that can walk, hop, and jump into flight with the aid of birdlike legs, greatly expanding the range of potential environments accessible to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Bird-inspired drone can jump for take-off

<p>Cleaning the seas of unexploded bombs, mines and other ordnance is essential but dangerous work. The farther that bomb disposal officers can stay away from explosive devices, the lower the risk they face. This is why the US Navy and other military forces prefer to put underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in harm’s way. And the chosen vehicle for many is supplied by US-based VideoRay, manufacturer of the Ally, Defender and Pro 5 ROVs.</p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733910037880-Videoray+customer+case_Figure+1.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><br></p><p>VideoRay’s products have gained support from the demanding military community because of their combination of small size and portability, high power and lifting ability, flexible payload options, and reliability. And playing an important part in the stability system of the VideoRay ROVs, making remote operation of the vehicle, its video camera and other accessories easier, is the high performance of the <a href="https://www.movella.com/products/sensor-modules" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Xsens MTi</a> Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) sensor on board.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>A robotic diver with high-resolution camera vision</strong></p><p>The Ally, Defender and Pro 5 ROVs operate like a diver, but without putting a human life at risk. &nbsp;Built to a modular design and tethered to a control panel on the surface, the ROV has a 4K camera, optional auxiliary cameras &nbsp;and powerful lights to enable the remote operator to view the scene in detail, and forward-looking sonar to assist with piloting the vehicle in murky water and other low visibility environments. &nbsp;</p><p>VideoRay offers a wide range of accessory options for equipping the vehicle with gripping, lifting and other tools. And with seven 1hp thrusters on board, the ROV can move fast through the water and lift heavy objects with ease from the sea floor.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733910100730-Videoray+customer+case_Figure+2.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><br></p><p>Since the ROV is tethered, it can be remotely piloted. The VideoRay products are widely used by the US Navy on explosive ordnance disposal missions. Here, the ROV navigates semi-autonomously to a zone of interest, heading for destination co-ordinates programmed in by the operator. Once the ROV reaches the zone of interest, a remote pilot takes over to locate the explosive device, and perform the mission’s operation on it. Inertial navigation technology keeps the ROV on track – a combination of a DVL (Doppler velocity log), GPS satellite positioning, Greensea internal navigation software, a pressure sensor for depth measurement, and the Xsens MTi AHRS sensor for tracking the vehicle’s heading. The attitude readings from the sensor also support the operation of the propulsion system, enabling the vehicle to maintain a stable posture underwater.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Accurate heading keeps the ROV on track</strong></p><p>Andy Goldstein, Chief Technology Officer of VideoRay, explains that the heading measurements are normally the biggest source of error in marine inertial navigation systems. This means that the accuracy of the AHRS has a substantial impact on the ability of the ROV to reliably reach the destination programmed into it. He says, ‘VideoRay’s evaluation of the Xsens MTi AHRS sensor convinced us that its performance would meet the high standards that we set for the inertial system on the ROV. Movella supplies the sensors with a robust software development kit to streamline the system development process. The SDK is also supported by magnetic calibration software supplied by Movella. This means that users can calibrate the sensor’s heading measurements to adjust for variations in the earth’s magnetic field. This fine tuning of the heading system’s outputs is absolutely crucial to the vehicle’s ability to stay on track over missions stretching for hundreds of meters from the starting position.’</p><p>The other key factors in VideoRay’s decision to use Xsens MTi AHRS sensors are its size and availability in production volumes. Its small size made it easier for the VideoRay engineering team to fit the sensor inside the compact ROVs, which can be carried by a single person. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733910118532-Videoray+customer+case_Figure+3.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><br></p><p id="isPasted">The powerful propulsion and reliable autonomous navigation capabilities of the <a href="https://videoray.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VideoRay</a> ROVs have been tested extensively in thousands of explosive ordnance disposal missions operated by the US Navy and others. The ROVs are also in use in many applications which require their power, portability and flexibility: offshore energy mapping and production, ship maintenance, inspection of underwater assets such as dams, search and rescue and others.&nbsp;</p><p>And in all of them, the inertial navigation and handling of the vehicle are assisted in large part by the high-performance Xsens MTi AHRS sensor on board.&nbsp;</p>

With Xsens MTi AHRS

VideoRay underwater ROVs on board provide reliable autonomous navigation for hazardous US Navy missions

<p>According to <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/tmo/artificial-intelligence/ai-robotics/worldwide" target="_blank" id="isPasted">Statista</a>, the global AI robotics market will reach $17 billion in 2024 and will keep growing by 24% annually. Today, robots deliver packages, conduct geological surveys, and entertain visitors of parks and exhibitions – however, that’s not the limit of their abilities. In this article, we get into the technologies at the intersection of AI and robotics, as well as the research done in this field at ITMO, with Prof. Ivan Borisov, a researcher at ITMO’s International Laboratory of Biomechatronics and Energy-Efficient Robotics (BE2R Lab).</p><h1 dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><strong>Why mix AI and robotics</strong></h1><p>Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that brings together mechanics, electronics, and control systems. In order to plan a robot’s route and manage its movements, experts need to have a good command of mathematics and algorithms. Without correctly functioning optimization algorithms, a robot won’t be able to plan its movement trajectory and steps, especially if there are obstacles in its way.</p><p dir="ltr">A control algorithm is based on an accurate mathematical model of a robot, which describes its state, geometry, and dynamics. Using this model, the algorithm calculates the robot’s movements and interactions with the environment. In other words, the more precise the mathematical model is, the more efficient the actual robot will be.</p><p dir="ltr">To build an accurate mathematical model, it is essential to consider key geometric parameters (such as mass, inertia, friction, drive power, torque, as well as the performance metrics of drives and sensors). For a robot isolated from its environment, creating an accurate model is straightforward. However, the task becomes fundamentally more complex when the robot is required to physically interact with objects in its environment, especially when this environment is unknown.</p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><em>“We can, for example, build an accurate model of a manipulator robot welding a car. It has a fixed base and predetermined environment – we know what will happen to it. That’s why we can make accurate models of the robot itself and its surroundings, calculate the welding machine’s trajectory, and make the robot simply follow a precalculated trajectory. However, if we need a mobile robot, one that will walk or move on wheels in a city, or a kitchen manipulator robot, the conventional paradigm would require a model of its surroundings. The case is, though, that we cannot create an accurate model for an undetermined, a priori unknown, and constantly changing environment,” says Prof.&nbsp;<strong>Ivan Borisov</strong>, a researcher at ITMO’s International Laboratory of Biomechatronics and Energy-Efficient Robotics (BE2R Lab).</em></p></blockquote><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TbyHKQKYVHg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">AI technologies can be used to address the challenges of designing robots as systems. For this purpose, researchers turn to gradient and global optimization algorithms, as well as neural network approaches, including training on large datasets and reinforcement learning. Thanks to these methods, it’s possible to automate the design process (by delegating the filtering of solutions to algorithms), solve the task of motion policy synthesis, and enable robots to perceive their environment.</p><h1 dir="ltr"><strong>How AI is facilitating robot design</strong></h1><p dir="ltr">One robotics task that AI is already helping to solve is the design of entire robots or their individual parts, such as mechanisms or drives.</p><p dir="ltr">Previously, the quality of a design depended solely on the skills of its creator: if the same task was given to several engineers, they would all solve it differently. As a result, there would be various designs, each with hardly guaranteed optimality.</p><p dir="ltr">These days, this problem is being addressed through the use of numerical and generative design. The main goal is to automate the design process and help specialists find optimal robot designs more quickly by exploring all possible solutions. Numerical design can be based on both optimization algorithms and neural network approaches, such as reinforcement learning or supervised learning. It helps identify the optimal parameters to enhance a robot’s performance, while generative design helps create mechanical structures and optimize them.</p><p dir="ltr">Reinforcement learning was proven effective in the industry. For example, it was used by Disney Research in collaboration with ETH Zurich to <a href="https://la.disneyresearch.com/publication/design-and-control-of-a-bipedal-robotic-character/" target="_blank">merge</a> the animation of a droid from Star Wars and a physical model of a bipedal robot.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Researchers from the BE2R Lab have <a href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/science/cyberphysics/news/13989/" target="_blank">created</a> the open-source repository <a href="https://github.com/aimclub/rostok?tab=readme-ov-file" target="_blank">Rostok</a>; with it, it’s possible to use generative design to create single-drive adaptive grabbing tools. Taking into account the parameters given by an engineer and the robot’s design limitations, the technology balances between them, presenting a greater number of various solutions. This makes the design process quicker (compared to human performance) and mathematically justified. Each solution is tested in a simulator and graded on performance. The higher the grade, the more likely the algorithm is to recommend a particular solution to engineers.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733879540331-1399600.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Grabbing robot design. Photo courtesy of ITMO scientists</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The researchers used a similar approach to improve their previous <a href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/news/13232/" target="_blank">design</a> – a mobile jumping robot. Earlier, the robot relied on bearings, making its structure more rigid and less mobile; during a fall, part of the impact energy damaged its solid links. Using global optimization genetic algorithms, the scientists <a href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/science/cyberphysics/news/13925/" target="_blank">found out</a> that it would be better to use soft links instead of bearings. By absorbing all the energy from a fall, such links protect the robot’s structure and allow for partial recouping of energy from the impact. Thanks to this change, quadrupeds, anthropomorphic robots, and collaborative manipulators can be more energy-efficient, withstand shock loads, and adapt to uneven surfaces.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Both solutions were revealed at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2024), a major conference that <a href="https://portal.core.edu.au/conf-ranks/?search=IROS&by=all&source=all&sort=dsource&page=1" target="_blank">holds the A rank</a> (one of the highest) in the CORE conference ranking.. In 2024, the event was held in Abu Dhabi on October 14-18.</p><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733879566211-1399601.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Jumping robot prototype. Photo courtesy of ITMO scientists</span></span></span></p><h1 dir="ltr" id="isPasted"><strong>AI for robotic vision</strong></h1><p dir="ltr">Computer vision is a key element in robotic design, as it helps robots build a 3D map of their surroundings and plan routes around obstacles. However, without AI solutions to these tasks are too expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient.</p><p dir="ltr">In the 1980s, Prof. Hans Moravec from Carnegie Mellon University explained why vision became one of the hardest “capacities” to acquire for robots. It’s summarized in a paradox subsequently named after him: contrary to popular assumption, higher cognitive processes (such as playing chess or go) require relatively little computational resources and are thus available to robots; at the same time lower-level sensorimotor operations (vision, perception, and body coordination) require immense computational resources.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">With AI, it’s possible to overcome Moravec’s paradox. For that, engineers first assemble a dataset (or take an existing one) wherein images are clearly marked by features and categories: for example, some are cats, and some are humans. To map out its surroundings and plan routes, robots use LiDARs, cameras, and other sensory technologies, while trained networks help them “make sense” of the surrounding objects. If a robot encounters something unknown along the way, it might try to classify this object using similar images from its dataset.</p><p dir="ltr">AI can also help robots navigate complex environments with mirrors or glass doors. Their surfaces reflect or permit light through, which means that robots can misinterpret obstacles or distances to them.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 832px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733879591092-1399604.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Sergey Kolyubin with the team of ITMO's Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics. Photo by ITMO.NEWS</span></span></span></p><p>Headed by Sergey Kolyubin, researchers from ITMO’s BE2R Lab have&nbsp;<a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10342329" target="_blank" id="isPasted">developed</a> a 3D mapping system based on deep neural networks and the camera’s ego-motion (its movement relative to surrounding objects). Having tested the system in a space with glass partitions, the researchers concluded that it calculates distance to objects and creates 3D maps of spaces more accurately than other neural network-based solutions with RGB-D cameras that calculate distances to objects and their colors.</p>

According to , the global AI robotics market will reach $17 billion in 2024 and will keep growing by 24% annually. Today, robots deliver packages, conduct geological surveys, and entertain visitors of parks and exhibitions – however, that’s not the limit of their abilities.

Higher, Faster, Stronger: How AI Makes Robots Smarter and More Efficient

<p id="isPasted">If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter is Coming.</p><p>And if you’re a diehard cyclist, that also means you’re going to face challenges beyond the cold. Bike paths – just like the adjacent roads – can get mucked up with potholes, ice, and (like your driveway) blocked when a snowplow makes an errant dump.</p><p>In the future, cities will have a new tool at their disposal to help ensure cyclists can have the best thoroughfares possible in the depths of winter. It’s called the Street Smart Robot, and it was designed and built by the InDro Robotics engineering team at Area X.O in Ottawa. We believe it’s a great example of how robotics can help make future Smart Cities safer, more efficient, and more liveable for all of us.</p><p>It was a complex build from the ground up, requiring a lot of work on Machine Vision and obstacle detection and avoidance. Here’s a sneak peak we released while development was still underway:</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1MTJHVsIKA??si=Bw1lA0hTFdqh2x3B&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span></iframe></span></p><h3 id="isPasted">Funding</h3><p>Research and Development companies like ours are often fortunate enough to receive funding to assist with projects like these. Our concept for the Street Smart Robot caught the attention of the <a href="https://www.ovinhub.ca/" target="_blank">Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network</a> (OVIN). Its <a href="https://www.ovinhub.ca/" target="_blank">website</a> describes the agency as “Ontario’s flagship initiative for the automotive and mobility sector…driving economic development and catalyzing a future that builds safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation.”</p><p>OVIN committed $465,000 to the SSR project.</p><div title="Page 1"><p>“With a world-class innovation ecosystem, Ontario continues to lead in the development of new mobility technologies and solutions,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade in our <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/InDro-Robotics-Street-Smart-Robot-News-Release.pdf" target="_blank" data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">news release</a> about the project. “InDro Robotics’ prototype Smart Street Robot represents the best of our province’s cutting-edge tech research and development that is creating solutions for real-world challenges, and we congratulate them on this milestone.”</p><p>OVIN also weighed in:</p><div title="Page 1"><p>“Ontario is home to innovators and game-changers that are shaping the future of mobility on the global stage. The growth of multi-modal transportation, combined with weather-related challenges, presents a unique opportunity for Ontario companies to commercialize leading-edge solutions that make our roads safer and travel more efficient,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “This groundbreaking technology showcases the unparalleled caliber of Ontario SMEs in addressing significant mobility challenges—and more broadly, the province’s capacity to foster innovation and accelerate their time to market.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Networking</h3></div><p>Robots like the SSR require more than just good sensors and compute. They also require an exceedingly reliable 5G network in order to accommodate the dense data throughput required. Here, we partnered with <a href="https://www.rogers.com/" target="_blank">Rogers Communications</a> for networking hardware and technical support.</p></div><div title="Page 1"><p>“Rogers is proud to work alongside InDro Robotics and OVIN to improve public safety,” said Tom Turner, President, <a href="https://www.rogers.com/business" target="_blank">Rogers Business</a>. “By leveraging the <a href="https://www.rogers.com/business/iot/wireless-private-network" target="_blank">Rogers 5G Hybrid Wireless Private Network</a>, we’re able to help build safer communities through real-time detection and reporting.”</p><p>Robust, high-speed networks are crucial for Smart Cities – where a multiplicity of interconnected devices will be constantly relaying data. This will be especially true as more connected and autonomous vehicles like the Street Smart Robot start sharing roadways (or bicycle paths) with people and other traffic..</p><p>“The Street Smart Robot is designed to greatly enhance the safety of bicycle lanes, particularly during winter. InDro is pleased to have partnered with Rogers and OVIN on this endeavour,” says InDro Robotics Founder/CEO Philip Reece.</p><p><em>Below: The SSR incorporates LiDAR and 3D depth cameras to help sense its surroundings – and to avoid cyclists, pedestrians and obstacles</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733845991303-SSR-LiDAR-Units-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="SSR LiDAR"></em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1733846026679-SSR-Depth-Camera-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="SSR Depth Camera"></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>This is actually just the beginning of the Street Smart Robot’s journey. This is the prototype version, and we are already looking at ways to further enhance the product prior to commercial deployment. We’ve learned, for example, that while the existing tread locomotion is great for heavy snow and ice that an all-wheel drive wheeled platform will provide greater agility and speed. We are also looking at a smaller and more human-friendly form factor.</p><p>That being said, our SSR V1 has proven itself for Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM), as well as detecting hazards that could cause cyclists problems.</p><p>“Safer streets for everyone – including cyclists – are part of the Smart City of the future,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “The Street Smart Robot is an important step along that road.”</p><p>We’ll have more to say about our Street Smart Robot when we release V2 in the future. So stay tuned – and, if you’re cycling, stay safe.</p></div>

A new robot to help ensure cyclists can have the best thoroughfares possible in the depths of winter.

InDro's Street Smart Robot Built to Keep Cyclists Safe in Winter

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">These include the increasing use of intelligent automation, plus the capacity of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyse and predict machine behaviour while dictating its operations. We’re more familiar now with predictive maintenance, augmented reality, digital twinning (DT) and 3D printing, so our predictions at Rowse for 2025 manufacturing trends continue to build on these developments.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">The global pandemic instigated a radical transformation in the way we work, with more dispersed work sites joined together by more agile, internet-connected devices. The resultant growth of sensory data and immersive experiences has produced&nbsp;<a title="Metaverse" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405959524000237" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">the industrial metaverse</a> – a phrase that’s become a buzzword in modern manufacturing. It embraces connectivity across all aspects of production, with many integrated, interactive and collaborative features that allow 24/7 interaction around the world.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">The metaverse offers a new range of benefits, such as optimised production processes, improved planning and faster decision-making, plus streamlined supply chain management and energy usage. Technology platforms and cloud computing allow global design teams to collaborate in real time, creating and troubleshooting digital twins and virtual 3D models. These can be linked to factory floor devices, sensor networks and robotics that enable the whole production process to be constantly monitored.</p><p dir="ltr">We predict that the following manufacturing trends are also likely to influence the industrial landscape in 2025:</p><h2 dir="ltr">Dispersed Manufacturing</h2><p dir="ltr">The pandemic caused the manufacturing industry to evaluate alternative production models so that disruptions to business would be minimised. One approach to this is decentralised or dispersed manufacturing, which helps companies to increase their agility and resilience. By embracing dispersed local models, business owners can develop a new manufacturing concept that can react quickly and respond coherently to market changes. Several manufacturers are establishing self-contained micro-factories, which can be set up, moved and re-formatted with very little disruption. These can be situated anywhere in the world so that goods can be produced in the environment that’s closest to their primary markets.</p><h2 dir="ltr">On-Demand Manufacturing</h2><p dir="ltr">Micro-factories go hand-in-hand with <a title="On-Demand" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-on-demand-manufacturing" target="_blank">on-demand manufacturing</a>, where goods are only produced when they’re needed. Saving space, time and energy, these smaller, more agile facilities can leverage predictive analytics and market demand sensing to become more responsive and less wasteful. AI can assess changes in demand patterns through data analysis, while individual customer needs can be met without fuss or unnecessary tooling.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><a title="3D Printing" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/3d-printing-vs-traditional-manufacturing" target="_blank">3D printing</a> also contributes to the ability of manufacturers to respond to one-off or small product runs, working from CAD models or existing objects. Along with intelligent automation and analytics, new opportunities will be available for customisation in manufacturing, so consumers may even be able to go directly to pop-up factories to purchase on-demand bespoke products.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><h2 dir="ltr">Foresight Factories</h2><p dir="ltr">The manufacturing sector is an industry leader when it comes to intelligent automation. Many facilities already use predictive maintenance to identify and solve potential production problems. AI and ML can predict what impact any action might have before it actually takes place. By 2025, the advance of digital transformation will increase this level of foresight in smart factories and may see them developing sentience so that they respond intuitively to fluctuations in supply and demand.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Some research suggests that the average level of factory automation will rise over the next decade by at least 10%. It will soon be having an impact on every aspect of industrial activity, as connectivity expands to embrace the whole manufacturing value chain. We’ve seen DTs being leveraged by the military, the rail industry and&nbsp;<a title="Shipyards" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-a-digital-shipyard" target="_blank">shipyards</a>, where virtual replicas are used to simulate large-scale production and design situations.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Purposeful Production</h2><p dir="ltr">By 2025, most manufacturers will be able to establish a real-time understanding of their operations. Big data analytics will be used to make facilities more cost- and energy-efficient and companies can leverage this information to decrease their environmental impact. Based on the analysis of centralised data management systems, manufacturers can plan for more purposeful production and aim for a more sustainable future. They can combine, for example, product lifecycle management software with manufacturing operations management to pursue lean manufacturing. &nbsp;Along with the IIoT, AI and robotics, the techniques of&nbsp;<a title="Just-In-Time" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-just-in-time-manufacturing" target="_blank">Just-in-Time manufacturing</a> can lead to a harmonious, streamlined and fully automated operation that should achieve zero-emission status.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Metaverse Monitoring</h2><p dir="ltr">From 2025, the metaverse will begin to redefine the way everything functions, including industry. Within manufacturing itself, metaverse-based tools will enhance the abilities and safety of workers by providing virtual monitoring, testing and training. For instance, industrial technology companies are developing IIoT and wireless-enabled smart glasses that offer hands-free operation, audio-visual capabilities and voice commands. Workers wearing the device experience immersive, real-time situational awareness, so they can compare their immediate physical environment with a virtual rendition of how these conditions should be. This is useful for remote maintenance and monitoring while offering significant safety enhancement.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Industrial metaverse capabilities can also test new manufacturing software. Using simulations in realistic virtual worlds, engineers can test software and physical integrations before real-world implementation. They can also train robot operators and run multiple potential scenarios to evaluate the optimal set-up.</p><h2 dir="ltr">How It Will Look In 2025</h2><p dir="ltr">In 2025 we’ll see predictive capabilities being further developed through digital technologies like AI, ML and big data. Manufacturers will need to embrace the metaverse and explore hyper-local concepts with the potential for micro-factories and on-demand manufacturing. Operations must be imbued with purpose, making use of technological advancements to achieve a more sustainable future.</p><p dir="ltr">As we’ve previously noted, the increase in digitalisation brings with it the threat of disruption to data security, such as loss of data, malware and other malicious intrusions like denial of service attacks. This means that industrial enterprises must also leverage the metaverse for the protection and monitoring of control systems and their associated manufacturing networks. Remote monitoring tools and security management will, therefore, be increasingly important.</p>

Digital transformation in the manufacturing industry is advancing fast to meet the constant demand for new products and processes. The development and adoption of immersive technology have introduced us to a new arena – the metaverse – with all its exciting possibilities. 

2025 Manufacturing Trends

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">There are also concerns about the need for more skilled labour and new definitions of the characteristics required for business success. As traditional hierarchies topple, organisational, technological and leadership skills must adapt to changing circumstances. New generations of manufacturers will need to address these challenges differently and more constructively.</p><h2 dir="ltr">A Vision Of Manufacturing In 2030</h2><p dir="ltr">The next few years will bring opportunities and challenges as we move into an era of sustainable production, greening industry and digital dominance. We’ll be focussing more on collaboration, bringing together project leaders from all over the world for real-time discussion and experimentation. We’ll also be leveraging technology to streamline production, using AI and ML to optimise processes from production line to business management. The immersive virtual simulation will enable seamless design and engineering, accessible by project teams worldwide.</p><p dir="ltr">We must be more mindful of how manufacturing impacts the environment, people, and the planet so that our business activities are pursued more ethically. This includes reducing harmful emissions, saving energy and reusing or recycling where possible. The manufacturing sector must be prepared to satisfy the requirements of current and future generations. It must also be aware that resources won’t last forever and future generations must have a solid base of sustainable production that won’t overstretch the capacity of our planet.</p><p dir="ltr">These themes offer only a broad outline of how things might look for manufacturers in 2030, but they help to focus our thinking and planning for the future.</p><h2 dir="ltr">It’s All Connected</h2><p dir="ltr">Modern terminology is moving us into what’s called the industrial “<a title="Metaverse" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405959524000237#sec4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">metaverse</a>”, where everything is connected. The metaverse already exists in other realms, such as entertainment and gaming, but in industry, it has a far more useful and wide-reaching impact. While&nbsp;<a title="3D Printing " href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/3d-printing-trends" target="_blank">3D printing</a> is increasingly significant in product prototyping, it will be further advanced by incorporating metaverse simulation techniques.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Designers can begin prototyping new parts in the metaverse, where anyone involved in the project can interact with 3D virtual simulations. Entering a design in the metaverse allows them to make alterations and manipulate alternative options before any final decisions are made. Once finalised, the designs can be transmitted directly to 3D printing facilities for immediate production. This sort of technology allows for much greater freedom, suggesting such possibilities as individually customised items produced on the spot.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Building The Metaverse</h2><p dir="ltr">Many metaverse techniques are already in use, such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and digital twinning (DT). These already allow manufacturers to manipulate prototypes of various design options and have proved useful in large-scale projects such as <a title="Shipbuilding" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-a-digital-shipyard" target="_blank">shipbuilding</a> and factory layout planning. A factory layout can be simulated using advanced technology such as the <a title="Siemens" href="https://plm.sw.siemens.com/en-US/tecnomatix/factory-line-design/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Siemens VR plant simulator</a>. This can be used to visualise, model, simulate and analyse shop floor layouts to optimise production processes, hardware and systems.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Simulations in the metaverse are even more immersive, as you can create a digital user for your system in a virtual world with its own economy. As an avatar in a DT, you can buy and sell digital assets to design and create all your DT’s components, just like the physical asset. With a VR headset, you can assess and interact with simulated systems and processes in real-time, simulate multiple scenarios and gain an in-depth understanding of your entire operation. One step further involves incorporating and comparing autonomous automated simulations into your metaverse to pick the best possible scenario.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Less Is More</h2><p dir="ltr">A major advantage of immersive technology is that it reduces the reliance on physical objects, source materials and supply chains. Manufacturers have already begun to place greater emphasis on environmental sustainability and, as the effects of climate change become more apparent, resources are more open to disruption. By 2030, manufacturing will need a different style of organisation where operations are smarter and able to create more useful products using fewer resources and less destructive processes.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Intelligent automation and Industry 4.0 technology like DTs and 3D printing will allow for faster, more localised production so that manufacturing becomes more dispersed. Concepts like pop-ups and micro-factories make it possible for customers to get customised goods on demand. We can use predictive analysis of market demand to eliminate over-production while maximising reuse and regeneration to reduce waste. By following the principles of the&nbsp;<a title="Circular Economy" href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/manufacturing-a-circular-economy" target="_blank">circular economy</a>, we’ll come closer to our goal of zero emissions.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Manufacturing in 2030 is going to be more decentralised, featuring a range of new skills and concepts. We’ll see eco-entrepreneurs, digital nomads, material innovators and climate tech start-ups – all able to collaborate in the immersive world of the metaverse. Global partnerships will drive innovation, where all things are interconnected.</p><h2 dir="ltr">People First</h2><p dir="ltr">By 2030, we need to see manufacturing transition from a self-centred or capitalist approach to a future where our priority is people and the planet. Unrestrained capitalism has had a seriously detrimental effect on our society as well as our environment. Some consider that a complete change is required in the guiding principles of manufacturing, towards a more ethical, just and regenerative future. Future leaders must promote a humanist approach to manufacturing, where they recognise the need for purposeful production, human empowerment, inclusion and ethical behaviours.</p><p dir="ltr">Skills and talent are always a key focus in the manufacturing sector, where it’s increasingly difficult to attract and retain. Technological skills change so rapidly that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. Employers should consider what future profiles may be required. New generations of employees in the 2030s need to be inspired to shape the manufacturing future, to take advantage of technological advances and not be overwhelmed by them.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Digital Transformation</h2><p dir="ltr">When we consider what manufacturing will look like in 2030, we should see an evolution in the way we live, work, and consume, driven by digital transformation and reflected in ethical production. The manufacturing industry has already become more agile and resilient by adopting IIoT technologies and global collaboration. &nbsp;By 2030, the manufacturing sector should be using the power of intelligent automation and the metaverse to achieve ethical long-term prosperity while prioritising human well-being and sustainability,&nbsp;</p>

As we approach the second half of the 2020s, many businesses wonder what manufacturing will look like in 2030. They see challenges ahead that include the effects of climate change, ongoing supply chain disruptions and the fluctuating relationship between humans and machines. 

What Will Manufacturing Look Like In 2030?

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