Building robots is hard.Even if you start with a manufactured platform for locomotion, the work ahead can be challenging and time-consuming. How many sensors will require a power supply and data routing? What EDGE processing is needed? How will a remote operator interface with the machine? What coding will allow everything to work in unison and ensure the best data and performance possible? How will data be transmitted or stored?That&rsquo;s the hard stuff, which inevitably requires a fair bit of time and effort.It&rsquo;s that hurdle &ndash; one faced by pretty much everyone in the robotics R&amp;D world &ndash; that led to the creation of InDro Commander.<h2><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1Njc2MjEwMDg5LUNvbW1hbmRlciBvbiBCdW5rZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h2><h2>What Does InDro Commander Do?</h2><a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/commander/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">InDro Commander</a> is a platform-agnostic module that can bolt on to pretty much any means of locomotion. In the photo above, it&rsquo;s the box mounted on top of the AgileX bunker (just above the InDro logo).Commander is a single box with critical software and hardware designed to simplify payload integration and enable turn-key tele-operations. &nbsp;Whether you&rsquo;re adding LiDAR, thermal sensors, RTK, Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras &ndash; or pretty much any other kind of sensor &ndash; Commander takes the pain out of integration.The module offers multiple USB inputs for sensors, allowing developers to decide on a mounting location and then simply plug them in. A powerful Jetson EDGE computer handles onboard compute functions. The complete Robot Operating System software libraries (ROS1 and ROS2) are bundled in, allowing developers to quickly access the code needed for various sensors and functions.&ldquo;Our engineering team came up with the concept of the InDro Commander after integrating and customizing our own robots,&rdquo; says Philip Reece, CEO of InDro Robotics. &ldquo;We realized there were hurdles common to all of them &ndash; so we designed and produced a solution. Commander vastly simplifies turning a platform into a fully functioning robot.&rdquo;Account Executive, Luke Corbeth takes it further:&ldquo;The Commander serves as a &ldquo;brain-box&rdquo; for any UGV,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It safely houses the compute, connectivity, cameras, sensors and other hardware in an IP54 enclosure.&rdquo;It also comes in several options, depending on the client&rsquo;s requirements.&ldquo;There are three &lsquo;standard versions&rsquo; which are bundles to either be Compute Ready, Teleoperations Ready or Autonomy Ready,&rdquo; adds Corbeth.&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve realized over time that the value of Commander is our ability to customize it to include, or more importantly, not include specific components depending on the needs of the project and what the client already has available. In reality, most Commanders I sell include some, but not usually all, of what&rsquo;s in the Commander Navigate. We&rsquo;re also able to customize to specific needs or payloads.&rdquo;Below: Commander comes in multiple configurations<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1Njc0MDk1MDA2LVNjcmVlbnNob3QtMjAyMy0wOS0xOS1hdC0yLjMzLjQ2LVBNLnBuZy53ZWJwIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2>Commander Does The Work</h2>With InDro Commander, developers can spend more time on their actual project or research &ndash; and far less time on the build.&ldquo;For end-users wanting a fully customized robot, Commander saves a huge amount of time and hassle,&rdquo; says InDro Engineering Lead, Arron Griffiths. &ldquo;Customers using this module see immediate benefits for sensor integration, and the web-based console for remote operations provides streaming, real-time data. Commander also supports wireless charging, which is a huge bonus for remote operations.&rdquo;Commander serves as the brains for several InDro ground robots, including Sentinel. This machine was recently put through its paces over 5G in a <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/putting-sentinel-through-its-paces-at-epri/" target="_blank">test for EPRI</a>, the Electric Power Research Institute.Below: Commander is mounted on Sentinel, a site based autonomous robot, capable of complete continuous monitoring of infrastructure, with the ability to carry out autonomous inspection rounds with thermal, RGB and zoom sensors, for recognition of change detection.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1NjczODM5MTAwLVNlbnRpbmVsIEVQUkkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><h2>5G Operations</h2>Depending on the model, Commander can also serve as a plug &amp; play device for operations over 4G or 5G networks. In fact, InDro was invited by US carrier T-Mobile to a 2022 event in Washington State to demonstrate&nbsp;the live, remote tele-operation of a Sentinel inspection robot.Using a simple Xbox controller plugged into a laptop at T-Mobile HQ in Bellevue WA, we operated a Sentinel in Ottawa &ndash; more than 4,000 kilometres away. There was no perceptible lag, and even untrained operators were able to easily control remote operations and cycle between the Pan Tilt Zoom camera, a thermal sensor, and a wide-angle camera used for situational awareness by the operator. Data from all sensors was displayed on the dashboard, with the ability for the operator to easily cycle between them.Below: T-Mobile&rsquo;s John Saw, Executive Vice President, Advanced &amp; Emerging Technologies, talks about InDro Commander-enabled robots teleoperating over 5G networks&nbsp;<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-C88iEnsh7E?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&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">&amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe><h2 id="isPasted">Future-Proof</h2>Platforms change. Needs evolve. New sensors hit the market.With Commander on board, developers don&rsquo;t need to start from scratch. The modular design enables end-users to seamlessly upgrade platforms down the road by simply unbolting Commander and affixing it to the new set of wheels (or treads).Any sensor, including LiDAR, can be quickly integrated with InDro Commander.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1Njc1MDA4NjA2LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0yNSBhdCA0LjQ5LjIzIFBNLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> You likely know the saying: &ldquo;Necessity is the mother of invention.&rdquo;InDro developed this product because we could see its utility &ndash; both for our own R&amp;D, and for clients. We&rsquo;ve put Commander to use on multiple custom InDro robots, with many more to come. (We have even created a version of this for Enterprise drones.)&ldquo;On the commercial side, our clients have really benefited from the inherent modularity that the Commander provides,&rdquo; says Luke Corbeth.&ldquo;Since the &lsquo;brains&rsquo; are separate from the &lsquo;body,&rsquo; this simplifies their ability to make the inevitable repairs or upgrades they&rsquo;ll require. These clients generally care about having a high functioning robot reliably completing a repetitive task, and Commander allows us to operate and program our robots to do this.&rdquo;It can also save developers money.&ldquo;On the R&amp;D side, the customizable nature of the Commander means they only purchase what they don&rsquo;t already have,&rdquo; adds Corbeth.&ldquo;For instance, many clients are fortunate enough to have some hardware already available to them whether it&rsquo;s a special camera, LiDAR or a Jetson so we can support the integration of their existing systems remotely or they can send this hardware directly to us. This cuts down lead times and helps us work within our clients&rsquo; budgets as we build towards the dream robot for their project.&rdquo;Still have questions or want to learn more about Commander?&nbsp;<a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/commander/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click HERE.</a>

A platform-agnostic module that can bolt on to pretty much any means of locomotion

InDro Commander Streamlines Robotics Research and Development

This article is published as part of TechBlick (www.TechBlick.com) series on additive and sustainable electronics. Here, Stephan from the Holst Centre outlines how one can make electronics more sustainable, considering materials, manufacturing, and design aspects. This article appeared originally&nbsp;<a href="https://www.techblick.com/post/roadmap-to-sustainable-printed-electronics-tno-at-holst-centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here. </a>Author: Stephan Harkema and Corn&eacute; Rentrop | TNO at Holst Centre | <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:stephan.harkema@tno.nl" target="_blank">stephan.harkema@tno.nl</a>A growing desire for continuous data collection, real-time information, and connectivity has resulted in increased demand for electronic functionalities that are fully integrated in everyday objects. Consumer electronics, healthcare, wearable electronics, IoT, and smart packaging are examples of market segments that follow this trend. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are state-of-the-art when it comes to creating electronic functions, but pose challenges with respect to sustainability. These highly integrated electronic products, where plastics, metals and semiconductor components are seamlessly combined, are a challenge to recycle. The only suitable end-of-life scenario is still limited to shredding and incineration. With increasing electrification, digitization, broad wireless integration (IoT) and welfare, the amount of waste from electronics and electronic devices increases drastically. An estimated 1.2 Mtons of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) end up in the total amount of annual e-waste[1]. Only a third is recycled in environmentally sound facilities. This means that around 800 million kilograms may be traded, recycled in a non-compliant and polluting manner or may end up on a landfill. There is a more eco-friendly alternative to PCBs: Hybrid and Printed Electronics (HPE). This technology is a big step forward compared to PCBs, but much more is needed to achieve circular production of next-generation electronics.Despite their name, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are not actually printed. They consist of multiple layers of electroplated copper on glass-fiber epoxy substrates onto which electrical components, so-called surface-mounted devices (SMDs) are assembled. The copper layers are etched with hazardous chemicals to create the circuitry. At end-of-life, the encapsulated copper and unrecyclable epoxy carrier make PCBs a recycling challenge. Transitioning from PCBs to HPE (Hybrid and Printed Electronics) provides immediate opportunities to achieve ecological benefits: reduced device thickness, lower weight, printed sensors, and additive instead of deductive manufacturing of the circuitry. Printed electronics is a disruptive technology that is on the verge of breakthrough in the automotive, lighting, and medical domains. Each use case represents a slimmer, lighter, more appealing, more practical, and less polluting alternative to the conventional device based on printed circuit boards (PCBs). However, in both types of electronics, PCBs, and HPE, the circuitry and SMDs contain potentially critical, high-impact metals embedded in plastics to protect them from external influences, such as mechanical damage and moisture. As opposed to PCBs, the environmental impact of HPE can be further reduced by using recyclable, bio-based, and renewable or compostable materials.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NDU4Nzk1LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNSAxMDA3MDgucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 754px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figure><figcaption>Figure 1: Roadmap to sustainable electronics</figcaption></figure><h3>Roadmap to sustainable printed electronics</h3>Most, if not all, products are mass produced. A first primary focus lies with a successful market entry which is often achieved by innovative functionalities in an aesthetic product design at competitive price levels. Manufacturing of such products is often not immediately optimized for low material usage, low power usage, and a minimal carbon footprint. Instead, single use and low recyclability are often accepted at this stage to achieve commercial success, which may be essential for the survival probability of the company. Petrochemical materials offer a high degree of reliability, low cost and supply security and are therefore ideally suited for high volume production in this first stage of the roadmap, as shown in Figure 1.A first step towards increasing a product&rsquo;s sustainability is to address, and preferably extend, its end-of-life by enabling repairability, for instance by a modular design with repairable or replaceable components, or by enabling upgrades. Such steps do not immediately improve recyclability or reduce the environmental impact of production and the materials, but they do provide a significant improvement to the environmental impact by the simple fact that the product does not need to be replaced by a new one. Also energy consumption during the use phase may be addressed. For some examples, such as devices containing highpower elements (e.g. lighting), optimization of power usage may be an effective means of lowering the overall environmental impact.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NDkwMzgyLVROTyBhdCBIb2xzdCBDZW50cmUgKEJFUkxJTi1PY3QtMjAyMykuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 762px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figure><a href="https://www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped" target="_blank"></a><figcaption>Join us at TechBlick&#39;s Future of Electronics RESHAPED conference &amp; tradeshow in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-fr-linked="true" href="//www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped">www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped</a>. Contact authors for discounted rates.</figcaption></figure>Following this second stage, a third step may be taken in which a product undergoes a simplification of its design with a reduction of coatings to limit material usage, production steps and overall energy consumption. Printed electronics technology offers an increasingly credible alternative to PCBs and perfectly matches this stage in the roadmap: 1) lower thickness, 2) printed functionalities instead of discrete SMD components that have a higher footprint, 3) recyclable thermoplastic polymers and 4) additive manufacturing as opposed to deductive etching of copper. Nonetheless, challenges still remain in terms of costs and reliability in comparison to the PCB.Circular use of materials, as depicted in the fourth stage in Figure 1, requires more drastic changes, especially to enable other choices at end-of-life. When end-of-life is reached, the product needs to be dismantled into its chemical building blocks. Here, printed electronics also provides opportunities, as many of the starting materials are meltable and therefore relatively easy to dismantle. The favoured cradle-to-cradle recycling approach is a possibility to further reduce the environmental impact. However, seamlessly integrated electronic products manufactured to survive rigorous testing in harsh environments cannot be disassembled so easily, which leaves shredding and incineration of these products as the only option at end-of-life. The plastics serve as energy carriers for metallurgic processes. While metallurgic processing at an industrial scale may be very efficient for metal recovery, the plastics are lost entirely. Recuperation of the plastics faces the challenge of achieving a high enough purity level to reach the material properties of the initial plastic. When combining plastics with coatings or metals or other plastics, purity levels plummet and only secondary use is realistic. Recycling of integrated electronics to yield metals, components and plastics separately and in a pure and circularly usable form therefore requires a method of disassembly prior to recycling. Not only does this allow circular use of all components and materials, it also enables higher recycling rates. It is therefore vital for electronics production in a circular economy to include design-for-recycling principles.In the before-last stage, bio-based materials may be introduced as a replacement for generally used fossil-based polymers. In the final stage, biodegradability is an option for specific use cases where disposal into the environment is likely or a more effective approach to recycling. Devices applied to the human body with a limited lifetime of days to weeks are well-suited to go this far in their sustainable developments, while others intended for long-term use are less likely to benefit from biodegradability. Materials from bio-based origins are considered to be environmentally friendly, but large volume production may put additional strain on food supplies and animal feed (1st generation feedstock) or land use for non-food biomass (2nd generation)[2]. Algae are a promising candidate for third-generation bio-mass due to a very high growth rate (5-10x terrestrial plants)[3]. Moreover, cultivation of algae do not strain food supplies and available cultivated farmland.<h3>Achievable lower environmental impacts</h3>Quantification of the environmental impact typically proceeds through a life-cycle assessment. Guidelines to achieve a lower environmental footprint for printed electronics were provided by Prenzel et al.[4]. Copper has a significantly lower global warming potential than silver, possibly up to a factor of 70[5]. While this choice for a different metal would lead to a more than 95% lower contribution to the GWP, it is limited to the printed circuitry alone, if processing remains otherwise identical. Similar values are possible for the plastic carrier if e.g. paper is a suitable alternative. However, reliability would then be at stake due to a high sensitivity to moisture/water, revealing the potential, but also the intricacies related to developing sustainable electronic products. At a higher integration level, ultra-thin organic photovoltaic solar cells were reported to demonstrate a 10-85% reduction in carbon footprint by a combination of a different substrate, less silver and a modified design[6]. For printed electronics devices closer to industrialisation, a recent life-cycle assessment by Tactotek indicated that, compared to PCBs, in-mould structural electronics (IMSE) enabled a reduction of the carbon footprint by 34-62%, depending on the application and its details[7]. The reductions in carbon footprint for these printed electronics examples are very hopeful and do not stand alone. More examples are available in the literature.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NTIzNTA3LVROTyBhdCBIb2xzdCBDZW50cmUtYm9vdGguanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 725px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figure><a href="https://www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped" target="_blank"></a><figcaption>Join us at TechBlick&#39;s Future of Electronics RESHAPED conference &amp; tradeshow in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" data-fr-linked="true" href="//www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped">www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped</a>. Contact author for discounted rates.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h3>Design-for-recycling (DfR)</h3>The benefits of the application of a design-for-recyclability would further enhance these values as a DfR enables the recovery of the materials. When comparing automated shredding and sorting of PCBs containing electronic waste to manual extraction of the PCB for recycling, higher recovery rates were obtained for the latter (95-99% vs 12-60%)[8]. Another study indicated that extensive dismantling and high-quality recycling would lead to the highest reduction of the product&rsquo;s global warming potential[9]. Norgren et al. applied design-for-recycling to several use cases and examined the role of a DfR in a circular economy[10]. As described, design-for-recycling holds the potential to increase the quantity and value of materials recovered and reused from products that have reached their end-of-life. Important to realize is that improved recyclability provides a balance between reliability and recyclability: a part is typically designed to withstand rigorous testing (peel tests, pull-out tests, bending tests, stretching, ..), sometimes in combination with harsh environmental exposure (climate chamber set at elevated temperature and humidity, thermal shock tests, aging test at high T and/or with UV exposure). The specs and standards that must be met are often based on conventional PCB electronics and warrant re-evaluation of their applicability in a circular economy. The additional trade-off of recyclability versus costs may come in next, as additional measures or specialistic materials may be necessary to reach the DfR. The question is then when the gains in environmental impact exceed the potential loss in reliability and or potential increase in costs and which methods for quantification are accepted by the industry and policy makers.TNO at Holst Centre has developed a DfR approach that can be applied to various printed electronics devices, including in-mould structural electronics, flexible lighting, flexible sensors, and (medical) health patches. In this design, the encapsulant of the printed electronics and discrete semiconductor components can be removed at end-of-life. First demonstrations of the principles on in-mould structural electronics (IMSE) in the EU Treasure project led to successful device disassembly[11]. Upon removal of the polycarbonate encapsulant, that had been applied by injection moulding to a polycarbonate substrate with printed silver circuitry, the printed silver circuitry was exposed. Subsequent hydro-metallurgic processes by Treasure partner Univaq (University of L&rsquo;Aquila) could target the printed silver directly and specifically without the need to chemically remove the PC beforehand[12]. A full life-cycle assessment, including the comparison of a recycling end-of-life scenario compared to shredding and incineration, is underway.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NTU3MjM4LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNSAxMDA3MjMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 682px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figure><figcaption>Figure 2: schematic representation of a design-for-recycling with a) an electronic device encapsulated in plastic, b) first stage of dismantling with the removal of the plastic encapsulant, c) &amp; d) second stage of dismantling that targets SMDs and (printed) circuitry and e) plastic substrate with any leftover (graphic) layers. Figure courtesy of Amires.</figcaption><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NTc4MzkzLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNSAxMDA3MzQucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 686px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></figure><figure><figcaption>Figure 3: a) forced mechanical disassembly of an IMSE device without DfR leading to rupture of the substrate, b) disassembly of an IMSE device with DfR; c,d) Flexible lighting device with DfR in on-state and off-state during peel tests</figcaption></figure><h3>Join us and the global community in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023. and let us together RESHAPE the Future of Electronics, making it Additive, Sustainable, Hybrid, Wearable, or 3D.</h3><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0Nzc0NjMzMzY2LTIuQWdlbmRhLUV4aGliaXRpb24tTE9HT1MtKEJFUkxJTi0yMDIzKS1zbWFsbC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 738px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []" id="isPasted">Acknowledgements</h3>Holst Centre is a research and innovation partner specialized in health technologies, flexible and wireless electronics, powered by the shared expertise of imec and TNO. This research has been funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the European Union&rsquo;s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101003587 (EU Treasure project), No 101070167 (EU Ecotron project). Original electrical and injection-mould design were realized in the Flexlines projectthat received funding from Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the exceptional contributions from Peter Rensing, Pit Teunissen, Jan van Delft, Jeroen Schram, Gerwin Kircher, Adri van der Waal and dr. Margreet de Kok from TNO at Holst Centre, and Sanne Domensino and Joris Vermeijlen from Fontys University of Applied Sciences. We also gratefully acknowledge the wonderful support provided by Rick Leuven and Yibo Su from BrightlandsMaterial Center for injection moulding with the Flexlines mould.&nbsp;<hr><h3>References:</h3>[1] Bald&eacute;, C.P., D&rsquo;Angelo, E., Luda, V., Deubzer, O., and Keuhr, R. Global Transboundary E-waste Flows Monitor &ndash; 2022, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (2022)[2] Coma M., Martinez-Hernandez E., Abeln, F., Raikova, S., Donnelly, J., Arnot, T.C., Allen, M.J., Hong, D.D., Chuck, C.J.Faraday Discuss., 202, 175 (2017)[3] Maliha A., Abu-Hijleh, B., Energy Systems (2022) doi:10.1007/s12667-022-00514-7[4] Prenzel T.M., Gehring, F., Fuhs, F., Albrecht, S. Mat&eacute;riaux &amp; Techniques 109, 506 (2021) doi: &nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://doi.org/10.1051/mattech/2022016" target="_blank">doi.org/10.1051/mattech/2022016</a>[5] Nuss P, Eckelman MJ (2014) PLoS ONE 9(7): e101298. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0101298 (2014)[6] V&auml;lim&auml;ki, M.K., Sokka, L.I., Peltola, H.B. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 111, 325&ndash;339 (2020). doi:10.1007/s00170-020-06029-8[7] Tactotek webinar &ldquo;Environmental Performance of IMSE&reg;&rdquo;, 2022, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tactotek.com/resources/webinar-environmentalperformance-of-imse" target="_blank">https://www.tactotek.com/resources/webinar-environmentalperformance-of-imse</a>[8] Ardente F., Mathieux, F., Recchioni, M. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 92, 158-171 (2014) doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.09.005[9] Alston, S., Arnold, J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45, 21, 9386&ndash;9392 (2011) doi:10.1021/es2016654[10] Norgren A., Carpenter A., Heath, G. Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy 6:761&ndash;774 (2020). doi: 10.1007/s40831-020-00313-3[11] Harkema, S., Rensing, P., Domensino S., Verweijlen J., Godoi-Bizarro, D. submitted for publication[12] Ippolito, N.M.*, Romano, P., Passadoro, M., Pellei, G., Vegli&ograve;, F. Treasure Project H2020 - Recycling of automotive waste for the recovery of precious and critical metals: pilot plant tests. The 16th International Conference on Chemical and Process Engineering, Naples, May 21-24, 2023

A growing desire for continuous data collection, real-time information, and connectivity has resulted in increased demand for electronic functionalities that are fully integrated in everyday objects. Consumer electronics, healthcare, wearable electronics, IoT, and smart packaging are examples of market segments that follow this trend. 

Roadmap to Sustainable Printed Electronics. TNO at Holst Centre

Offshore platform inspections have always been a demanding challenge. The extreme conditions, towering structures, and inaccessible spots make it a true test of human endurance and safety.&nbsp;Conventional methods involved ropes and scaffolding, costing time, money, and, most importantly, risking the lives of inspectors.&nbsp;That&#39;s&nbsp;where the&nbsp;game-changer&nbsp;comes in, offering a revolutionary solution that puts human safety at the forefront.&nbsp;Flying robots use&nbsp;cutting-edge&nbsp;technology to navigate the complexities of offshore platforms effortlessly. This transformational tool redefines the inspection landscape, introducing a more efficient, cost-effective,&nbsp;and, above all, safer&nbsp;way of working.&nbsp;The challenges of elevated heat make inspections hard. But now, the use of flying robots like SKYRON has ushered in a notable improvement in inspection efficiency, simultaneously mitigating inherent risks. &nbsp;These robotic systems guarantee precise measurements without compromising the well-being and safety of inspectors. This transformative approach empowers the inspection workforce.&nbsp;Watch the video above to witness&nbsp;SKYRON&nbsp;in action.&nbsp;It&#39;s&nbsp;not just about technology;&nbsp;it&#39;s&nbsp;about rewriting the rules of offshore platform inspections. As we step into this new era, safety takes center stage, making sure that inspectors no longer face unnecessary risks.&nbsp;It&#39;s&nbsp;an exciting shift towards a safer and more efficient future, where innovation meets the challenges head-on.&nbsp;

SKYRON marked history as the pioneer in contact-based NDT inspection on a massive offshore platform, setting a new standard for safety and efficiency. 

Flying Robots revolutionize Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection on offshore platforms

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/industry-4-introduction" title="Introduction To Industry 4.0" target="_blank">Industry 4.0&nbsp;</a>has pushed developments ahead at a much faster pace. This doesn&rsquo;t mean that it&rsquo;s all plain sailing from here on in &ndash; and many challenges in industrial robotics still remain. These seven are the most common:<ul><li>Costs</li><li>Lack Of Standards</li><li>Inflexibility</li><li>Safety Concerns</li><li>Workforce Skills</li><li>Workforce Training</li><li>Managing Workflows</li></ul><h2>Costs</h2>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&rsquo;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.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692871795259-7-Challenges-In-Industrial-Robotics-1.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 id="isPasted">Inflexibility</h2>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&rsquo;t always be easily repurposed, which limits the robots&rsquo; potential roles. Even knowledgeable and experienced line workers are often unable to improve manufacturing processes by this means.Greater flexibility would allow robotic systems to cope with faster integration and reintegration times and robot reusability. It could also enable reconfigurable manufacturing lines and work cells, plus the opportunity for high-mix and low-volume production. A factory&rsquo;s energy footprint could be reduced by manufacturing multiple products using a single production line.<h2>Safety Concerns</h2>New tech demands new procedures, and these immediately introduce new safety hazards into the workplace. Industrial robots are no exception and there are strict regulations surrounding robotic safety, as well as severe penalties.Before integrating any industrial robot system, manufacturers have to prepare for this and be ready to create a safe environment for workers that ensures full compliance. Investment in industrial robots would be encouraged if manufacturers could find an optimal balance between safety, versatility and speed.<h2>Workforce Skills</h2>Operators also have to acquire a new level of expertise. Workers don&rsquo;t usually understand how to operate new types of equipment and, in the case of mobile robots, they don&rsquo;t know how to behave correctly around them. They often get in the way of a robot&rsquo;s path or are confused about the allocation of activities between humans and automated workers.The technology is still relatively new, so there&rsquo;s no embedded academic training as you&rsquo;d find with older skills. Many employees will therefore require training, and in the meantime, other staff will need to be hired who already possess the requisite education, certifications and experience.<h2>Workforce Training</h2>Industrial robots are intended to enhance a facility&rsquo;s overall performance. This means that they must interact with humans in a mutual dependency. Until staff acquire the necessary skills, the facility will be much less efficient and therefore less cost-effective. Basic robotics training will raise employee awareness of how robotic systems behave and how humans should respond. Overall efficiency can be improved by demonstrating the co-dependence of humans and industrial robotics.This can be assisted by using advanced analytics and data collection to identify key issues. As much data as possible should be gathered by operators, including what and how many journeys are made by robotic systems, downtime experienced due to errors and bugs, battery-charging times, and time spent idling. Using this information, operators can adjust the necessary processes to target specific problems and increase robot efficiency.<h2>Managing Workflows</h2>Product workflows need to be evaluated to see what gains could be made by integrating robots. This includes calculating the speed and orientation of part presentation to robots to ensure maximum productivity, without overloading existing systems. Anecdotal and experiential evidence from workers can be submitted to data analysis to improve the workflow and assess how their contributions affect design and integration processes. This could also help evaluate the overall effect on performance and production cycles, to eliminate inefficiency.<h2>Latest Advances</h2>While they may serve all sorts of purposes, the issues in industrial robotics are relatively similar. With all the technological developments of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/technologies-pushing-industry-4" title="4 Technologies Pushing Industry 4.0 Forwards" target="_blank">Industry 4.0</a> that support modern robotic systems, many of these challenges are being addressed.With better training, people will have a greater understanding of how robotic platforms work. In the long run, more people will acquire the requisite skills and could learn how to develop their own robotic platforms. Programming solutions are being developed that use open-source environments, as well as no-code or low-code solutions.Robotic developers are beginning to focus more on situation awareness, with complex sensory arrays that greatly enhance the intelligence of cobots. They&rsquo;ll be able to understand their surroundings better and learn how to behave around humans, just as humans will learn how to behave around them. The net result is improved robotic interactions that increase productivity and reduce costs.

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.

7 Challenges In Industrial Robotics

In the&nbsp;Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)&nbsp;industry, where the pursuit of enhanced safety and inspection efficiency drives innovation, SKYRON&#39;s Rotary Arm stands as a true&nbsp;game-changer. This integral&nbsp;component&nbsp;within SKYRON&#39;s toolkit improves the precision and accuracy during inspection.&nbsp;SKYRON is an Intelligent Flying Robot meticulously designed to execute Non-Destructive Tests with unparalleled accuracy, meeting and surpassing industrial asset inspection standards&nbsp;and elevating safety in the inspection process.&nbsp;What sets this remarkable&nbsp;robot&nbsp;apart is its&nbsp;capability&nbsp;for performing contact-based inspections across diverse settings, even in the most&nbsp;challenging&nbsp;conditions.&nbsp;At the heart of SKYRON&#39;s prowess lies the Rotary Arm. What truly sets the Rotary Arm apart is its ability to attach to different surfaces shapes, vertical, horizontal, angular, and even curved surfaces. The exceptional adaptability of the Rotary Arm ensures accurate inspection readings. This is supported by a patented attachment mechanism that ensures precision. Consequently, this innovation simplifies and enhances inspections in challenging locations, making them more comprehensive.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692213548412-rotary+arm.jpg" style="width: 760px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Beyond its&nbsp;attachments&nbsp;finesse, the Rotary Arm has a&nbsp;brush system. It smooths&nbsp;rough surfaces and&nbsp;eliminates&nbsp;debris, laying the groundwork for impeccable readings.&nbsp;Prior to the inspection, the arm applies&nbsp;couplant&nbsp;gel.&nbsp;Couplant&nbsp;is pumped to the surface prior to inspection, and an efficient dosing system minimizes the&nbsp;amount of liquid that must be&nbsp;carried on-board the robot.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692213586841-Brush.jpg" style="width: 669px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="SKYRON's Brush System">SKYRON&#39;s Brush System<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692213632115-Couplant.jpg" style="width: 666px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Couplant Delivery SystemIn one attachment, the Rotary Arm can perform ultrasound thickness inspections in 25 spots within a 2&#39;&#39; x 2&#39;&#39; area. This high level of accuracy results in thorough evaluations that are extremely useful for making decisions regarding asset maintenance.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692213723353-multipoint-scan.png" style="width: 657px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The Rotary Arm takes ultrasound thickness measurements. It is equipped with a customized gauge Olympus 38 DL plus, which has 5 MHz dual-element transducer and a sophisticated end effector. This combination guarantees the most accurate measurements.&nbsp;The Rotary Arm capabilities extend to perform Dry Film Thickness (DFT) inspections. Taking Echo-to-Echo measurements, the arm presents a comprehensive solution to coating assessments, all while adhering to the highest standards of precision.&nbsp;In a landscape where industries continuously evolve, demanding increasingly rigorous and safer inspection methodologies, SKYRON&#39;s Rotary Arm&nbsp;emerges&nbsp;as a pioneering force. Its multifaceted capabilities, encompassing attachment versatility, expansive area scanning, and unyielding adaptability, constitute the foundation of a new era in contact-based inspections.&nbsp;SKYRON is prepared to change how inspections are typically done, setting a completely new level of quality, accuracy, and safety.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Rotary Arm has the ability to attach to different surfaces shapes, vertical, horizontal, angular, and even curved surfaces.

SKYRON's Rotary Arm: Elevating Precision in Contact-Based Inspections

Refineries face harsh conditions, requiring NDT inspections for safety and reliability. Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) inspections play a vital role in preserving equipment integrity, preventing incidents, and enhancing productivity.&nbsp;Conventional inspection methods in refineries have been costly, time-consuming, and risky for inspectors. Nevertheless, remarkable technological advancements have introduced intelligent flying robots capable of conducting inspections with speed, cost-efficiency, and enhanced safety. These robots can seamlessly perform inspections while equipment&nbsp;remains&nbsp;operational, leading to minimized downtime and increased productivity.&nbsp;Meet SKYRON, the intelligent flying robot that excels in efficient, comprehensive, and secure inspections within refineries. Observe the video above to witness SKYRON flawlessly taking UT measurements on a tank, a network of pipes, and an in-service flare stack. Thanks to its advanced technology, this robot seamlessly navigates challenging environments, effectively reducing risks and downtime. Technological breakthroughs like SKYRON are revolutionizing the oil and gas industry, ensuring&nbsp;the utmost&nbsp;safety and reliability of equipment.&nbsp;

Discover How SKYRON Transforms NDT Practices for Safety and Efficiency Boost

Reinventing Refinery Inspections: SKYRON's Revolutionary Role

Sensors are ubiquitous in our modern world, playing pivotal roles in numerous sectors. This article delves into their fundamental principles, diverse types, and their significant impact across industries.

What is a Sensor? An In-Depth Exploration and Comprehensive Guide to Engineering Principles and Applications

First NON-entry confines space Ultrasonic Thickness inspection with an aerial robot. 

First non-entry ultrasonic testing (UT) inspection in a confined space using an aerial robot

This comprehensive article dives deep into the world of robotics, exploring the history, types, engineering components, applications, and future trends of robots, offering readers an in-depth understanding of how these remarkable machines work and shape our lives.

What is Robotics? A Comprehensive Guide to its Engineering Principles and Applications

Delineating cobots and industrial robots, this analysis drives deep into their respective roles and divergent characteristics that make each a vital cog in the machinery of Industry 4.0.

Cobots vs Robots: Understanding the Key Differences and Applications

Avestec achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting the first non-entry ultrasonic testing (UT) inspection using an aerial robot. This groundbreaking accomplishment took place during the inspection of a confined space stack at a refinery in&nbsp;Western&nbsp;Canada. The inspection of stack interiors presents challenges due to limited access and poor visibility. However, Avestec overcame these obstacles by employing the remote capabilities of their aerial robot, SKYRON, resulting in a safe, efficient, and accurate inspection process.&nbsp;During the inspection, SKYRON was operated from outside the confined space, utilizing advanced communication links to ensure seamless connectivity and data transmission. Equipped with a high-quality camera and First Person View (FPV) system, SKYRON provided clear visuals of the stack&#39;s interior, enabling inspectors to identify defects and assess structural integrity with precision.&nbsp;&nbsp;<iframe id="6433ae788de910000801b259" width="250" class="specs-iframe" height="420" src="https://wevolver.com/iframe/specs/skyron?iframe=true" frameborder="0" scrolling="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>This pioneering application of aerial robots in non-entry UT inspections signifies a significant advancement in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). By eliminating the need for human entry and leveraging the capabilities of advanced robotic technology, Avestec&#39;s successful utilization of SKYRON demonstrates improved safety, efficiency, and data accuracy in challenging inspection environments. For a visual demonstration of this remarkable inspection,&nbsp;take a look&nbsp;to the video above.&nbsp;

SKYRON performing a non-entry UT inspection

The inspection of stack interiors presents challenges due to limited access and poor visibility. Avestec overcame these obstacles by employing the remote capabilities of their aerial robot.

First Non-Entry UT Inspection with an Aerial Robot

Robotic arms in the industry based on PID loop 

This guide delves into the basics and components of PID control, implementation, application examples, impacts, challenges, and solutions aiming to provide readers with a thorough understanding of this integral concept.

PID Loops: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Implementation

Avestec achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting the first non-entry ultrasonic testing (UT) inspection using an aerial robot. This groundbreaking accomplishment took place during the inspection of a confined space at a refinery in&nbsp;Western&nbsp;Canada. The inspection of stack interiors presents challenges due to limited access and poor visibility. However, Avestec overcame these obstacles by employing the remote capabilities of their aerial robot, SKYRON, resulting in a safe, efficient, and accurate inspection process.&nbsp;During the inspection, SKYRON was operated from outside the confined space, utilizing advanced communication links to ensure seamless connectivity and data transmission. Equipped with a high-quality camera and First Person View (FPV) system, SKYRON provided clear visuals of the stack&#39;s interior, enabling inspectors to identify defects and assess structural integrity with precision.&nbsp;This pioneering application of aerial robots in non-entry UT inspections signifies a significant advancement in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). By eliminating the need for human entry and leveraging the capabilities of advanced robotic technology, Avestec&#39;s successful utilization of SKYRON demonstrates improved safety, efficiency, and data accuracy in challenging inspection environments.&nbsp; For a visual demonstration of this remarkable inspection, take a look to the video above.&nbsp;

The inspection of stack interiors presents challenges due to limited access and poor visibility. Avestec overcame these obstacles by employing the remote capabilities of their aerial robot

20230619-First Non-Entry UT inspection with an aerial robot.

The extent to which the work time (throughput) of each process on the production line (e.g., processing and inspections) is shortened is important to enhance productivity in factories. Nevertheless, another point of improvement that cannot be overlooked is the shortening of the time for transportation between processes of works in progress and the replenishment of parts and materials to each process.In particular, there are even some cases in which shortening the transportation time and similar contributes more to an improvement in productivity over the whole line than a shortening of the work time of each process depending on the situation in variable-mix variable-lot production in which diverse products are individually made on the same line while frequently changing production items. That is because the process of exchanging production items called &quot;changeover&quot; work takes a long time, as the work time of each process and the types and quantities of parts and materials used differ for each production item.&nbsp;<h2>Factories do not operate ideally &ndash; transportation means capable of dealing with variations in operation are necessary</h2>In general, transportation is performed automatically with conveyors to transport goods between processes on lines aimed at low-mix mass production. A well-known example of this is that the Ford Model T, which was the forerunner of modern industry, was efficiently assembled with an assembly-line system while moving on a conveyor by being narrowed down to one model. Even now, continuous production without stopping the line employing the same method is performed in food factories and other facilities.If the loading and unloading locations and the throughput of each process are fixed, it is easy to synchronize the timing of work and transportation. Therefore, it is possible to optimize transportation with conveyors. However, work and transportation often do not proceed at the expected pace. In that case, congestion arises on the line. In the worst case, the entire line must be stopped and it becomes necessary to wait until the delayed work is completed.Since the 1990s, automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), which move on transport paths guided by rails, magnetic markers and similar, have become widely used in the transportation of products, parts, and materials in the production process in place of conveyor belts (Fig. 1). The transport route at the time of transportation is predetermined with AGVs. However, it is possible to adjust the quantity of things being transported and the timing at which they are transported relatively freely. Therefore, it is possible to deal with work delays and other problems due to small malfunctions in each process. There has also been the appearance of some AGVs equipped with a robot arm to be able to automatically pick up and put down goods in recent years. AGVs have further evolved into smarter autonomous mobile robots (AMR) in anticipation of the arrival of the smart factory era.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg2NjUzOTc4Mjg1LXNtYXJ0ZmFjdG9yeV8wOC0xX2VuLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 765px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Fig. 1: AGVs and AMRs for more efficient and flexible transportation&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">Means to be able to transport the necessary things in a timely manner in variable-mix variable-lot production is necessary</h2>However, situations may arise that even AGVs cannot handle in variable-mix variable-lot production. This is because transportation with AGVs is not a good fit with the cell production lines that suit variable-mix variable-lot production.One worker handles the work of multiple processes on cell production lines. Therefore, the frequency of transporting works in progress can be comparatively reduced. However, that does not mean all processes can be handled by one person. Although not much, there is loading and unloading work. Furthermore, it is necessary to deliver the necessary parts and materials for the production of the next product in advance when changing production items.In general, multiple workbenches are lined up and workers are placed at each of them to produce products on cell production lines. The loading and unloading of works in progress and the replenishment of parts are performed in a timely manner to suit the state of progress of each workbench. This means it is necessary to have the transportation means to be able to freely set the loading and unloading locations and timings like a taxi instead of an AGV for which the route and operation schedule is predetermined like a railroad or fixed-route bus. Moreover, AGVs move in places where workers are found on cell production lines. Accordingly, it is necessary to realize a high level of safety that was not needed with AGVs for which the transport path can be isolated.AMRs that transport things while changing the movement route to suit the situation have come to be used in places with people as a transportation means to solve such issues. AMRs automatically recognize the positions of systems and other things that become obstacles in transport routes with sensors and then remember them as a map in advance. They then move safely while detecting the positions and movement of people in factories with sensors during transportation. The traveling environment and speed differ, but AMRs can be said to have the same functions as self-driving cars that are being developed by the automobile industry (Fig. 2). It is also expected that AMR technology will expand to automatic delivery and other functions for home delivery, mail, and other services in addition to being used in factories.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg2NjU0MDE0NjkwLXNtYXJ0ZmFjdG9yeV8wOC0yX2VuLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 765px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Fig. 2: Expansion of technology from self-driving cars to AMRs and transportation robots used outside factories&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">Smart transportation of needed parts by forecasting the progress of work a little ahead of time</h2>Also important is how effective and efficient it is to operate AGVs, AMRs, and other transportation means.The ideal is to operate &quot;just in time,&rdquo; in other words to be able to transport goods in a timely manner as necessary to minimize the inventory of works in progress and parts, materials, and other goods before assembly. It is also important to locate the movement route to be able to load and unload goods in the shortest time if the transport route changes depending on the situation like with AMRs. However, it has become possible to find the optimal operation method while grasping the situation over the whole of the factory thanks to the development of IoT, AI, and other information processing technologies.First, it has become possible to accurately grasp the progress status of work at each workbench on cell production lines and the status of the inventory of parts and materials with IoT. The situation was conveyed with slips called &quot;kanban&quot; until now. Digitizing this means it is now possible to discover standstills in work that will occur a little ahead of time and to derive the method to deal with that based on the situation in the factory grasped in real time.Furthermore, until now, the parts and materials necessary depending on the production item have been picked up by hand from the shelves of warehouses and then placed on transport vehicles for delivery in factories and other facilities performing variable-mix variable-lot production. It is now the case that transportation robots move the shelves where the necessary parts and materials are placed to where the people who will pick them up are while referring to the digitized kanban information to ensure delivery in the shortest time possible.<hr id="isPasted"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1686752726200-1686752726200.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii">If you have any questions based on this article that you would like to discuss with an expert at Murata, don&#39;t hesitate to reach out. There&#39;s an entire team ready to support you with your question.<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.murata.com/en-eu/contactform?&Detail=Wevolver%20request" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GET IN TOUCH</a><hr>

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) Have Evolved into Smart Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) and Are Improving the Efficiency of Operations in Factories

Smart Factories: Giving Form to Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry

Maintaining the safety and integrity of assets is a top priority in the oil and gas industry, especially in refineries where equipment is subject to harsh conditions. Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) measurements play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of assets such as furnace stacks, which are exposed to extreme temperatures, pressures, and hazardous gases. Thin metal walls caused by corrosion, erosion, or other forms of damage can compromise the safety and reliability of&nbsp;stacks. Therefore,&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and&nbsp;timely&nbsp;UT measurements are essential&nbsp;to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;potential issues early and plan for maintenance or replacement.&nbsp;In the conventional approach, rope access has been&nbsp;utilized&nbsp;to examine furnace stacks. However, this method has its limitations, including being costly, time-consuming, and potentially risky&nbsp;for inspectors.&nbsp;Additionally, considering that other activities are happening in the refinery and around the stacks,&nbsp;it&#39;s&nbsp;important to prioritize the safety of the surroundings. &nbsp;&nbsp;SKYRON is an intelligent flying robot that has emerged as an alternative to overcome the challenges of stacks inspections. The robot is equipped with advanced technology, such as a Rotary Arm, an Olympus 38DL PLUS gauge, and a&nbsp;digital FPV (first-person-view) System. The FPV camara provides the operators with a near zero latency HD video feed, allowing for operations beyond line of&nbsp;sight.&nbsp;With these tools, SKYRON can access furnace stacks easily and efficiently to capture&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;readings,&nbsp;providing&nbsp;valuable information about the integrity of these structures. By using this technology, inspection time and costs can be reduced, while safety and accuracy can be improved.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg1NTU2ODE2NTEzLXN0YWNrczEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 587px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg1NTU3NDMyMTkzLXN0YWNrczIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 583px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Recently, SKYRON was deployed to inspect six furnace stacks at a Canadian refinery. The objective was to measure the wall thickness of the outer shell of the stacks at high elevations, above the highest decks. This is a challenging task that typically requires rope access or other conventional inspection methods, which can be risky and costly. However, with SKYRON, the inspection process was streamlined, and the results were highly accurate. On average, SKYRON took only 14 minutes of flight time to inspect each stack.&nbsp;In the inspection of assets&nbsp;using SKYRON, attachment is a crucial process that involves the robot&#39;s robotic arm locking onto the asset. This attachment enables the transducer to move within a&nbsp;2&#39;&#39;&nbsp;x 2&#39;&#39; window, which allows for several UT&nbsp;readings to be taken at different thickness measurement locations. In total, 189 readings were taken for the six furnace stacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, to ensure efficient communication and report generation, the project team utilized&nbsp;Avesoft, a proprietary software developed by&nbsp;Avestec. This software streamlines the inspection process, allowing for real-time data capture, analysis, and reporting. The use of SKYRON and&nbsp;Avesoft&nbsp;together enabled the team to gather and analyze data quickly and efficiently, saving time and resources while ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the inspection results. The innovative UT inspection technology offered by SKYRON guarantees the&nbsp;timely&nbsp;detection of potential issues with furnace stacks, allowing for necessary maintenance or replacement to be carried out promptly. As a result, there is less downtime and reduced costs associated with future complex repairs.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg1NTU3OTg1NjkyLTAwNi5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 435px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><iframe id="6433ae788de910000801b259" width="250" class="specs-iframe" height="420" src="https://wevolver.com/iframe/specs/skyron?iframe=true" frameborder="0" scrolling="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> In conclusion, the use of intelligent flying robots such as SKYRON represents a significant advancement in furnace stack inspection technology. This technology provides a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective approach to maintenance and safety in refineries. With this innovation, what would typically take several days or weeks is now completed in reduced time, improving safety for inspectors and reducing downtime and repairs in the future. The application of this technology is expected to continue to expand, improving asset integrity in refineries and other industries.&nbsp;

SKYRON Streamlines Furnace Stack Inspections 

Intelligent flying robots emerged as an alternative to overcome the challenges of stacks inspections

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