A Look at the Top Game-Changing Innovations in Robotics

Innovations in robotics have changed people's every walk of life

Recent innovations in robotics have already proved that robots can be an integral part of humans' lives. From automating complex tasks to lifting heavy machines, robots are assisting humans in every type of business, contributing to higher quality products with shorter downtime. They have come a long way from research labs to venture into new spheres. They are expected to continue the striking migration towards automotive, healthcare, and more.

The global robots market is predicted to reach just under US$210 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of around 26% during 2018-2025. Analytics Insight compiles a list of game-changing innovations in robotics to be worth looking at in 2021.

Robotic Ambassador

The most recognizable face of humanoids, Sophia, is a social humanoid developed by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics. She is the world's first robot citizen and the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. Last year, the AI-powered four-year-old robot was reported to continue her role as a robotic ambassador, helping to advance research into robotics and human-robot interactions. Taught by humans, Sophia can move, talk, show some emotions, draw, and sing.

Google's worker robots

Search engine giant Google plans to produce worker robots with personalities. The company recently won a patent for the ambitious project. Engineers will enable the machines to download personalities from a cloud-based system. The robots can store and display multiple personalities when interacting with humans.

AI-Driven Security Robots

Artificial intelligence has already proved to be one of the effective solutions from a security perspective. It is now used to power robotics technology to ensure security in businesses. The SMP Robotics S5.2 security robot, for instance, is a revolutionary solution for enterprise integration. It can help keep an area as secure as possible by harnessing the power of the latest technology. The security robot can be set to only alert administrators if it detects a human using facial recognition to put a focus on enhanced autonomy.

Space Robots

A Russian humanoid robot was recently delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The humanoid robot was brought on a Soyuz spacecraft, where it sat in the captain's seat of the spacecraft. The robot, titled the Skybot F-850, was constructed by the Roscosmos space agency. The robot has sensors that can take internal measurements of the spacecraft, including things like G-force, vibrations temperature and more.

Saul Robot

Developed by Xenex and deployed by the Air Force, Saul Robot is designed to tackle deadly diseases like the Ebola virus. The machine eliminates the virus in rooms where quarantine procedures are conducted on aid workers. Saul also eradicates traces of the Ebola virus using powerful pulses of highly energetic ultraviolet rays. It breaks down and weakens the cell walls of the virus.

Sea Robots

These are autonomous underwater vehicles that are pre-programmed to gather data from particular parts of the deep ocean. A Norwegian company Eelume has unveiled a high-tech sea robot, dubbed the Eelume EELY500. It is designed to carry out underwater inspections and maintenance tasks in industrial settings. Eelume is a spin-off from research efforts at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Swimming Robots

These kinds of robots can be incredibly beneficial to studying and mapping the surf-zone, where waves meet the shore. A United States-based company Pliant Energy Systems builds a highly versatile robot that is quite agile and can quickly change locations. For this project, the company taps its green energy technology that was originally developed for generating electricity from rivers. The company's swimming robot has soft fins that make it quite agile and its amphibious abilities carry some value for sea exploration.

Asus Zenbo

Asus Zenbo, a low-cost robotic device, is capable of rolling around autonomously and understands verbal commands. The device is designed to assist individuals to remember daily tasks, such as exercise and medication schedules as well as doctor's appointments. Asus Zenbo can also monitor the surroundings to sense any emergencies. It is capable of connecting to smart-home components like security cameras, lights, and door locks.

Collegiate Delivery Robots

Starship Technologies has developed robots for campus food delivery service at George Mason University. This robotic food delivery service requires students to use a simple smartphone app to order food from eligible restaurants, much like UberEats. The food is delivered by a robot that navigates by using an array of sensors and 360-degree cameras.

Paro

Developed by AIST, a leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer, Paro is a therapeutic robotic device. It helps lower stress levels and accelerates interaction between caregivers and patients. Paro has proven effective when it comes to motivating and assisting patients to relax. It is the 8th generation of a design that has been in use in Japan and throughout Europe since 2003. It comes with five different sensors, including posture, light, tactile, audition, and temperature sensors.