Development of Robotics

Summary

The development of robotics may spawn the most significant change in business–related uses within the next 10 years. Science-fiction-like uses of robots are quickly becoming reality as companies across the globe work together to create intelligent and adaptive robotic machines. The business-related uses include industrial (manufacturing), personal (consumer), service, and security and defense robotics. Venture capital opportunities exist for Marshall USC in each of these categories, and investing in India-based robotics companies will help take Marshall USC in more socially responsible directions while still having high potential financial returns.

Robotic Design and Technology

The way robots are currently being designed is leading to a generation of robotics that will have many significant business-related uses. Many applications exist to encourage and assist developers—whether large or small—to create useful robots. Microsoft has released Robotics Studio, a software development kit that helps robot developers tackle a number of problems when designing robots. The software allows developers to build robots that can take in the commands coming from multiple sensors and send them to the robot's motors. This will effectively reduce the chances that the robot will malfunction because its software is too busy to send output to a part of the robot to read input from its sensors. Microsoft Robotics Studio also includes technology called decentralized software services (DSS), which will simplify the writing of robotic applications. For example, when combined with broadband wireless technology, a robot can be monitored and adjusted remotely through a web browser. According to Bill Gates, the goal of the software is to “create an affordable, open platform that allows robot developers to readily integrate hardware and software into their designs” [1].

This software and others are opening the door to so-called “intelligent” robotic technology—such as visual recognition, navigation and machine learning. Visual recognition hardware is already available from many companies, such as Tyzx, who have developed the DeepSea G2 Stereo Vision System—a small stereo camera that can see and interact with the world in three dimensions [2]. Advanced navigation hardware is also available as GPS (Global Positioning System) technology continues to evolve. Machine learning is another direction robotics is heading, where complex algorithms and techniques will give robots the ability to “learn” [3]. This “intelligent” robotic technology is being implemented in a number of different business industries: industrial (manufacturing), personal (consumer), service, and security and defense.

Implementation (Business-Related Uses)

• Industrial (manufacturing robotics): The current state of the robotics industry is dominated by manufacturing robots in automobile assembly lines, with over a million industrial robots in use worldwide. Most of the current industrial robots are without “intelligent” technology such as vision, hearing, or smell. There are, however, some new robots that utilize this such as Motoman’s vision-guided robot, which can pick randomly located automotive parts from a bin, place them on a table, and then individually place them in another bin [4].
• Personal (consumer) robotics: Consumer robots are still very primitive in terms of its potential application. The most notable product is iRobot’s self-vacuuming Roomba, which sold over 2.5 million units already [5]. The potential applications range from routine household tasks, to robot toys and remotely monitoring children.
• Service Robotics: These robots have a range of potential remote service applications, from robots that assist the elderly in getting around, to robots that enable health care professionals to diagnose and treat patients from miles away [1]. One current service robot, “Swarmy” removed about fourteen 50-gallon drums of sludge from an old wastewater tank in New Mexico [6].
• Security and Defense Robotics: There are many robotics applications currently used for security and defense in the military, and that number is only growing. In 2006, the U.S. military used robots in over 30,000 missions. Over three thousand military robots are expected to be used in the next five years [7].

Why Robotics?

In his 2007 Scientific American article “A Robot in Every Home”, Bill Gates relates the current state of the robotics industry to that of the computer industry thirty years ago when big, expensive mainframe computers were used only by large institutions and researchers were creating the basic necessary pieces to make the computer industry what it is today [1]. The manufacturing robots in automobile assembly lines are being compared to the mainframe computers, and past researchers are similar to current researchers developing robotic applications for specialized uses. If the robotics industry expands as much as the computer industry did, investing in robotics could offer very high returns for USC Marshall.

Robotics ventures in India

Despite its recent economic boom, India is still a third world country and much poverty still exists. However, the robotics industry in India has high growth potential; many venture capital opportunities exist that would help take USC Marshall in more socially responsible directions.

Potential Growth

Currently, the largest growth is coming from industrial (manufacturing) robotic companies in India. According to an article in AutomationWorld, the industry is expected to grow at two to two-and-one-half times the global average. Within the manufacturing sector, personal safety and enhanced productivity are becoming increasingly important, and industrial robots play a huge part in improving this. One of the largest Indian robotics companies is Precision Automation & Robotics India (PARI), who claims its industrial robots are used by global companies including Caterpillar, Hitachi, Bosch, Emerson Power, American Axle, Honeywell and Indian subsidiaries of multi-national companies such as Samsung, Philips, LG, Suzuki, Renault, Ford, Honda and Hyundai [8].

Although most robots in India are industrial, PARI and other companies are beginning to move into other robot markets. PARI already has 5 defense related projects with the Indian government and is introducing a golfing robot that can golf with 97% accuracy. Indian company Gridbots is launching a robot called Robograd, which can be used to clean homes and keep an eye on intruders for $250. A human-eyed robot called Neel has also been introduced by India-based Hi- Tech Robotics. Neel caters to nursing and household use because it can avoid obstacles through stereo vision and also recognize human faces and interact with humans through speech [8], [10].   

Potential Benefits for India

Although robots have typically been portrayed as detrimental to people’s jobs, this is not true. Mr. R.C.Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. best explained why in an article in Machinist:

"Not only will investment in India-based companies help create jobs for the economy, but other potential application of robotics can benefit India. Mr. Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences is urging the robotics industry to embrace other than just industrial robots. Applications such as disaster management, earth quake relief, and monitoring the line of control can all be implemented with the use of robotics" [9]. 

Conclusion: Potential Benefits for USC Marshall

Because of its current and projected growth, investing in the robotics industry in India will greatly benefit USC Marshall. The robotics industry may potentially become as big as the computer industry, and there are potential huge financial payoffs if a successful company is chosen. Since there already is a market for robotics in India, the risk is lower when compared with other third world countries.  Robotics will help India’s overall economy improve by creating more jobs as well as other social benefits. By investing in India-based robotics companies, there exists great opportunity for Marshall USC to gain financially while going in more socially responsible directions.

Works Cited

1. Gates, Bill. “A Robot In Every Home” Scientific American. January 2007.  10 Feb 2008 <http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=9312A198-E7F2-99DF 31DA639D6C4BA567&page=1>
2. Colby, Patricia. "3D Vision Company TYZX Launches DeepSea G2 Stereo Vision System." Robotic Trends. 13 Feb 2008 <http://www.roboticstrends.com/home/features/3d_vision_company_tyzx/>.
3. “Machine Learning” 15 Feb 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learning>
4. Teresko, John. “Meet the New Robots” Industry Week.  10 Feb 2008 <http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleId=14972>
5. Sofge, Erik. "Robot Paradox: Automated Gizmos Are Ready for Home—Are We?." Popular Mechanics. January 10, 2008. 16 Feb 2008 <http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/robotics/4244183.html?page=4>.
6. Holinka, Stephanie. “Swarmy Saves the Day.” Robotic Trends. 13 Feb 2008 <http://www.roboticstrends.com/service_robotics/article/swarmy_save_the_day/>
7. Uldrich, Jack. “Planes, Trains, Automobiles ... and Robots?” The Motley Fool. August 15, 2007. 2 Feb 2008 <http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/08/15/planes-trains-automobiles-and-robots.aspx>
8. Lal Pai, Uday. "Robotics Outlook Brightens in India." Automation World. February 7th, 2008. 10 Feb 2008 <http://www.automationworld.com/view-3922>.
9. Anad. “Robotics must be used for larger public good – Kapil Sibal.” Machinist. January 15, 2008. 10 Feb 2008 <http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=803&Itemid=2>
10. Image: NEEL <http://www.hitechroboticsystemz.com/prod_mars.html>