Because of their automation, most robots require batteries. Robot batteries are generally classified into three types: nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lead-acid batteries. So, which type of battery is best for a robot?
Currently, robots include AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) warehouse robots, cleaning robots, educational robots, racing robots, service robots, and other special-purpose robots. The following are the mainstream types of robot batteries:
1. Lithium-ion robot batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are generally chosen for specialized robots such as intelligent robots, warehouse robots, and educational robots. These intelligent robots have high requirements for battery capacity and cycle life. In addition, these robots have high added value and are not very sensitive to the price of robot batteries, so lithium-ion batteries have become the optimal choice.
Lithium-ion batteries are classified into polymer lithium-ion batteries and cylindrical lithium-ion batteries depending on their design requirements.
Polymerized pouch lithium-ion batteries are widely used in robots with limited internal space and weight constraints due to their plasticity and high-current discharge performance, such as drones and educational robots produced by DJI. Cylindrical lithium-ion batteries are more commonly used in AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) warehouse robots and cleaning robots.
2. Nickel-metal hydride robot batteries
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are generally chosen for lower-priced consumer robots, such as robotic vacuum cleaners and toy robots. This is because these robots need to reduce prices, requiring strict cost control to expand the consumer market. NiMH batteries are a good choice in terms of price. Consumer robots do not require large capacity or high current discharge, which is an advantage of NiMH batteries.
3. Lead-acid robot batteries
Because lead-acid batteries are large and heavy, they are primarily used in robots that do not require movement. Lead-acid batteries are generally used as backup power, and their advantages include relatively low installation and application costs, good cell consistency, and a long history of development with low overall cost. However, due to their significant environmental pollution hazards, which are detrimental to sustainable development, they are gradually being replaced by lithium-ion robot batteries.
