Navigating Your Robotics Project: An Assessment Method

Written by Rachel Kasson | Dec 20, 2024 10:52:07 PM

The robotics project checklist and assessment provide a structured approach helps in creating a clear roadmap for project development.

In a previous blog, we compiled a Robotics Project Improvement Checklist which listed critical questions to consider for your robotics project to help you get the most out of your efforts.

The following assessment method will walk you through the best ways to assess your robotic project with key examples for each point on the checklist. In addition, this can help to identify key areas where collaboration with robotics specialists like Boston Engineering could significantly enhance the project's success.

(Continued Below)

Innovative Robotics Systems at Boston Engineering

Robotics at Boston Engineering merges our expertise in electromechanical design, hardware, software, and communications solutions, delivering unparalleled innovation and excellence. Our solutions enable businesses and organizations to leverage the power of robotics, achieving new levels of efficiency, precision, and performance.

Our robotics team comprises experts from industry, government, and leading universities, continually pushing the boundaries of technology, engineering, and the physical and life sciences. This commitment to innovation drives the development of groundbreaking robotics advancements.

For a full overview of our robotics capabilities, visit our website to Learn more about robotics at Boston Engineering

As one of Boston Engineering’s Centers of Excellence, our Robotics Center exemplifies our dedication to client success and organizational service. Discover how our Centers of Excellence define and uphold this commitment, driving forward the capabilities and applications of robotics.

Learn more about additional Boston Engineering Centers of Excellence

Robotics Project Assessment Method

For each item, follow these steps:

1. Current State: Clearly describe the current capabilities or limitations.

2. Desired State: Define what you want to achieve.

3. Gap Analysis: Identify the differences between current and desired states.

4. Impact Assessment: Evaluate how closing this gap would benefit your project.

5. Expertise Evaluation: Assess your team's ability to address this gap:

Do you have the necessary skills in-house?
Do you have the required tools and resources?
Do you have experience with similar challenges?

6. Time and Resource Estimation: Roughly estimate the time and resources needed to address this item.

7. Priority Setting: Based on impact and difficulty, assign a priority level to each item.

Embrace the future trends that are shaping a new era of engineering excellence.

The 2024 Technology Outlook from Boston Engineering offers an insightful glimpse into trends and innovations on the horizon. Spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, and more, this collection of articles provides key takeaways for those looking to stay ahead of the technology curve.

Download for groundbreaking insights!

Example Assessments for Checklist Areas

1. Autonomy Improvements:

Example: A warehouse robot that currently requires human guidance for navigation.
Assessment: Define desired autonomous behaviors (e.g., independent navigation, obstacle avoidance) and evaluate the gap between current and desired capabilities.

2. Industry-Specific Challenges:

Example: A robot designed for food processing needing to meet strict hygiene standards.
Assessment: List industry regulations and unique operational constraints. Evaluate current compliance and areas needing improvement.

3. Cost Optimization:

Example: A manufacturing robot with expensive, custom-made components.
Assessment: Conduct a cost breakdown of your system. Identify the most expensive components and evaluate if there are cost-effective alternatives.

4. Upgrading Components:

Example: An older robotic arm using outdated control systems. Assessment: List all legacy components. Research modern equivalents and assess potential performance improvements versus integration challenges.

5. Miniaturization:

Example: A bulky inspection robot needing to operate in confined spaces.
Assessment: Measure current system dimensions. Define target size and identify which components need size reduction.

6. Safety Systems:

Example: A collaborative robot lacking advanced collision detection.
Assessment: Review current safety features. Identify potential risks and required safety certifications for your application.

7. New Payload Integration:

Example: Adding a new sensor suite to an existing drone platform.
Assessment: Define new payload specifications (size, weight, power requirements). Evaluate current system's capacity to support the addition.

8. Performance Issues:

Example: A pick-and-place robot experiencing occasional missed picks.
Assessment: Quantify the frequency and impact of issues. Identify potential causes (e.g., sensor accuracy, control algorithms, mechanical wear).

9. Environmental Hardening:

Example: An outdoor surveillance robot vulnerable to rain and dust.
Assessment: Define the target operating conditions. Evaluate current system's vulnerabilities to these conditions.

10. Reliability Improvements:

Example: A medical robot with infrequent but critical software crashes.
Assessment: Log and categorize all reliability issues. Prioritize based on frequency and impact.

11. ROS Upgrades:

Example: A research robot using an outdated version of ROS, limiting compatibility with new tools.
Assessment: Identify which ROS version you're using, and which features of newer versions would benefit your project.

12. Sensor Integration:

Example: Adding a new LiDAR sensor to a ROS2-based mobile robot.
Assessment: List desired sensors and their specifications. Evaluate current system's ability to integrate and process data from these sensors.

13. Simulation Capabilities:

Example: Developing a new robotic arm and needing to test various control algorithms before physical implementation.
Assessment: Define desired simulation scenarios. Evaluate current simulation capabilities (if any) and identify gaps.

14. Localization and Mapping:

Example: An autonomous floor cleaning robot struggling to maintain accurate position in large, open spaces.
Assessment: Test current localization accuracy in various environments. Identify challenging scenarios for your system.

15. Sensor Fusion:

Example: A self-driving car prototype using cameras and radar but struggling in low-light conditions.
Assessment: List all current sensors and their individual limitations. Identify scenarios where performance is suboptimal.

16. Motion Control:

Example: A robotic gripper lacking the precision needed for handling delicate objects.
Assessment: Quantify current motion control accuracy and speed. Define required improvements for your application.

17. Visual Servoing:

Example: A robotic welding system needing to adjust its position based on real-time visual feedback of the weld seam.
Assessment: Evaluate current visual processing capabilities. Define required visual-based control actions.

18. User Interface Development:

Example: A complex industrial robot with a confusing operator interface leading to errors.
Assessment: Gather feedback from current users. Identify common mistakes or inefficiencies in operation.

Start Solving Problems Today!

By addressing these key questions, you can uncover opportunities for improvement and innovation in your robotics project. Whether you’re optimizing existing systems, reducing costs, or scaling for new applications, this checklist is your roadmap to success.

Whether it's creating a highly accurate surgical robot, designing an unmanned vehicle for defense, or building a harvesting robot for agriculture, Boston Engineering delivers solutions that help businesses achieve operational excellence.

Why Work with Boston Engineering?

Boston Engineering provides cutting-edge solutions based on continuous learning and innovation. Their team of experts combines deep industry knowledge, a commitment to leveraging the latest technologies, and a collaborative approach to delivering innovative robotic systems that drive business impact.

With experience across industries, Boston Engineering ensures that each project is treated as a learning opportunity, integrating the latest advancements to ensure robotic systems are always at their peak performance. By partnering with Boston Engineering, businesses can ensure that their robotic systems are designed not just for today but are adaptable and future-proofed for tomorrow's challenges.

Learn more about robotics at Boston Engineering

Exploring Robotics Solutions

If you have developed a cutting-edge technology or discovered a novel application for an existing solution, Boston Engineering is poised to transform your vision into reality. Are you prepared to harness the vast potential of robotics for your commercial, medical, or defense projects? Leverage our extensive suite of robotic product development services, and let us assist you in driving innovation, boosting operational efficiency, and elevating your organization to unprecedented levels of success.

Learn more about robotics at Boston Engineering

Ready to learn more about Boston Engineering?

For almost three decades, Boston Engineering has designed, developed, and optimized devices and technologies the medical community relies on to save lives, enrich quality of life, and reduce costs to the healthcare system. We provide solutions to the challenges in the adoption of surgical robotics.

Our expertise includes industrial design and product redesign, sensors and control systems, robotics technical innovation, and digital software solutions.

Imagine your Impact: Stay up-to-date with the latest insights and trends we're watching. Add your email address below and sign up for a monthly summary of our most impactful posts!

View full post