One of the most striking aspects of the smart factory is the growth of autonomous robots. Robots have been used in industrial applications for decades, performing dangerous or repetitive operations and allowing human workers to use their skills for other tasks. By today’s standards, most of these robots lacked intelligence.
Autonomous Robots.
The demands of the smart factory and its high levels of adaptability have created the need for a new generation of robots. These machines need to be able to respond rapidly to changes in the needs of the factory. This could mean a static robot that changes role from minute to minute, or a delivery robot that can navigate the changing environment of the factory floor.
This flexibility requires robots that can act autonomously. They need to be able to sense both the environment around them and their own operation and change their behaviour according to need.
This level of autonomy has also found applications far from the traditional industrial setting. Logistics operations, smart agriculture and even emergency services are all benefitting from the ease of use and advanced capabilities of the latest unmanned vehicles. Deployed into some of the toughest environments on Earth, the sophisticated systems fitted to the latest autonomous robots must be protected against the harsh conditions.
In addition, the size and weight of components will play a huge part in the design of robots as they will have a direct impact on their useable payload, whether they are airborne or ground based.
The Buccaneer Circular Family comprises connectors in a range of sizes, including the slimline 400 Series. Despite its small size and light weight, the 400 series is sealed to IP68 and IP69K. In its 2-pole configuration, it has a current capacity of up to 8 Amps, making it ideal for the high-performance batteries that are vital in autonomous robot design.