Robots are considered the "crown jewel of manufacturing," and their research, development, manufacturing, and application are crucial indicators of a nation's technological innovation and high-end manufacturing capabilities. Compared to traditional robots performing simple, repetitive tasks, intelligent robots are more intelligent, flexible, and information-based. In a narrow sense, intelligent robots integrate intelligent sensing technology with robotics technology, enabling robots to...
With more accurate and complete perception of external information, robots can make correct decisions and intelligently assess and react quickly to the environment based on multi-sensor fusion information. Broadly speaking, in manufacturing, by establishing digital, intelligent, unmanned factories, robots serve as core intelligent sensing and operational units, achieving ubiquitous perception and seamless integration with production systems such as processing, assembly, logistics, and warehousing. In non-manufacturing sectors, the deep integration of emerging technologies with robotics enables humans to enjoy the ultimate experience of smart living in smart cities. Therefore, intelligent robots represent the future trend and development direction of robotics.
Development of key technologies for intelligent robots
Currently, robots are widely used in human production and daily life. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensor technology, robots have evolved from the traditional online teaching mode to an intelligent working mode. Advances in vision technology enable robots to recognize the position and posture of objects, and even obtain their three-dimensional features; developments in force control technology provide robots with more precise tactile feedback, enabling more precise operations; advancements in artificial intelligence allow robots to have better planning and decision-making capabilities in dynamic environments, and support multiple robots working collaboratively to complete specific tasks; and advancements in human-computer interaction technology enable robots and operators to communicate more naturally through voice and other means.
The development of internet technology has enabled robots to become intelligent devices in smart factories, facilitating fault diagnosis and equipment maintenance. With technological advancements, the functionality, performance, and reliability of robots are continuously improving, exhibiting greater flexibility and intelligence, enabling them to complete complex tasks and precision operations. This is a prerequisite for robots to be able to replace humans on a large scale.
The key technologies for the future development of intelligent robots will mainly focus on the following aspects:
(1) Robot mechanism optimization design technology
Technologies such as high load-bearing ratio lightweight arm, hollow wrist design, integrated joint, and novel bionic mechanism design.
(2) High-performance motion control technology
Human-machine safety servo drive, soft PLC, dynamic control, high-speed and high-precision trajectory planning and control, and multi-robot coordination technologies.
(3) Intelligent human-computer interaction technology
Offline programming, 3D simulation, VR, voice and gesture recognition, electromyography and other technologies.
(4) Intelligent perception and cognition and artificial intelligence technologies
Technologies such as visual recognition and positioning, force control technology, remote fault diagnosis, semantic understanding and deep learning.
Main development directions of intelligent robot products
Public service robots
Public service robots are being used more and more widely in public places such as restaurants, banks, hospitals, and government offices. These robots are gradually becoming more human-like tools, playing a role in addressing issues such as declining labor force, achieving a safe and secure society, and creating convenient and happy lives. There is an urgent need to develop a series of products, including food delivery robots, hotel service robots, welcoming and display robots, and shopping guide robots, for widespread application in industries such as restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and exhibition halls.
Medical rehabilitation robots
Medical rehabilitation robots are characterized by precision, intelligence, and minimally invasive techniques. They can more accurately diagnose symptoms, scientifically analyze pathology, reduce human error, minimize patient suffering, and accelerate recovery. Due to the relative shortage of medical personnel, medical robots, as an emerging medical and nursing tool, have enormous development potential. There is an urgent need to develop a series of products for medical assistance, rehabilitation, and fitness applications, such as orthopedic traction robots, medication delivery robots, telemedicine robots, and upper and lower limb rehabilitation robots, and to demonstrate their application in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other institutions.
Elderly and disabled assistance robots
The global aging population and the severe shortage of social security services, medical care personnel, and equipment for people with disabilities, coupled with the social pressure on assistive and nursing care and the supply-demand imbalance caused by the lack of highly qualified medical personnel, bring enormous pressure and challenges to society from multiple perspectives. The technology and application of elderly care and disability assistance robots will enable the elderly and people with disabilities to receive more timely care, more attentive companionship, and more scientific rehabilitation and health care, allowing them to live a more dignified life. There is an urgent need to develop a series of products for elderly care and disability assistance applications, such as intelligent emotional companion robots, integrated bed-chair robots, nursing robots, and mobility assistance robots, and to demonstrate their application in nursing homes, welfare institutions, and homes.
New generation of robots
To meet the demands of emerging manufacturing industries, the next generation of robots aims to overcome the limitations of traditional fixed-base robots, enhance the flexibility of manufacturing processes, and perform complex tasks such as flexible assembly and multi-robot coordination. Developed countries and leading robot companies abroad are actively investing in this field to seize the technological high ground in the future robotics industry. There is an urgent need to develop a series of products, such as composite robots, integrated multi-joint flexible robots, and dual-arm robots, for emerging manufacturing industries like electronics and pharmaceuticals, to facilitate their widespread application.
Industrial robot intelligent application process software
With the continuous expansion of robot applications in industrial fields, the ongoing upgrades and replacements of customer products, and the increasing demands for product processing technology and precision, the requirements for robot intelligence are also becoming increasingly stringent. The gap between my country's industrial robot products and those of foreign countries mainly lies in high-end intelligent applications. There is an urgent need to develop specialized industrial software packages for high-end industries such as welding, processing, assembly, and painting, and to achieve industrialization and promotion in typical industries.
Potential application market for intelligent robots
In the future, with the advancement of technology, the functions, performance, and reliability of robots will continue to improve, and they will have greater flexibility and intelligence, enabling them to complete various complex tasks and precision operations. Therefore, their application areas are also expanding from traditional fields such as automobiles to emerging fields.
(1) Service industry: public service robots, medical rehabilitation robots and elderly and disabled assistance robots
Product features include: the use of multiple sensor information such as vision, force, laser, ultrasound, and infrared to improve the robot's intelligence, and the ability to perform autonomous navigation and positioning, path planning, autonomous obstacle avoidance, and human-computer interaction.
Typical applications include: display, guidance, explanation, carrying items, personnel identification and judgment, medical assistance, rehabilitation and fitness, and emotional support.
(2) Emerging manufacturing industries: flexible multi-joint robots, composite robots and dual-arm robots
The product features include: meeting the requirements for safe, fast, easy-to-use, and highly flexible operation, and possessing advantages such as high speed, high precision, and miniaturization.
Typical applications include: precision assembly, component sorting and assembly, automated loading and unloading of production lines, logistics and transportation, and equipment maintenance, testing and cleaning.
(3) Aviation and aerospace: Intelligent industrial robot coordinated operation system
Product features include: the ability to perform 3D modeling and optimal robot trajectory planning for large workpieces with free-form surfaces, enabling precise operation of large workpieces, and allowing multiple robots to operate simultaneously without human intervention, thus improving work efficiency.
Typical applications include: workstation maintenance, large component painting, welding, and machining operations.
(4) Logistics and transportation sector: outdoor AGVs, heavy-duty AGVs and laser-guided AGV systems
Product features include: automatic horizontal transport of heavy-duty goods such as containers in complex indoor and outdoor environments.
Typical applications include: port container transportation, automated transfer of large components for high-speed rail, and material transportation for heavy-duty construction machinery.
