CEO Update May 2019
Robot technology scales new heights
ROBOTS imitating the leg movements of animals, developed with greater dexterity and intuition to climb over objects…welcome to the technology of 2019.
The new area of industrial robotics aims to create the modelling, control, sensing and navigation by using autonomous systems capable of traversing extreme environments.This means equipment can move across uneven, unstable and otherwise difficult terrain, or even multi-type terrain and complex confined spaces – from industrial structures to underground mines.
These small to medium scale legged robots are designed ultra-light with evolutionary computing applied. While such technology may have some wow factor, it also serves a very important purpose as robotics becomes increasingly important across many sectors.
New capabilities open way for operators
Enhanced functionality provides operators with the ability to carry out a broad range of tasks with more accuracy, frequency and safety. So far this year the economic outlook for many industries has been extremely ‘bullish’ – which is obviously pleasing on many fronts. Part of the positive sentiment is hedged from companies continuing to refine their performance and look for opportunities to work more productively and efficiently. And it’s this focus where the application of technology is having a greater and more significant role.
Generation Robotics 2.0 is the new term that captures the next wave of devices being developed worldwide. Most people would be familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Well, the reality is it’s becoming very real, very quickly for industries in Australia ranging from oil and gas and mining, to defence, emergency services and more.
Bridging science and commercial worlds
The breakthroughs are becoming more common as key stakeholders place a greater emphasis on better collaboration. It’s why Nexxis has partnerships with many of Australia’s leading tertiary institutions and scientific research organisations including the University of Western Australian, CSIRO and Data 61 among many others. And the bridge between research and industry is producing exciting commercial outcomes more consistently, helping turn scientific development into practical engineering.
Our people are dealing with the leading professors in mechatronics engineering and top researchers to take development to its highest level. Through our partnerships we’re accessing state-of-the-art research facilities and development platforms, which has a fundamental impact on helping close the gap to commercialise the technologies.
We’re also seeing a significant increase in the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of the equipment being developed, which ranks the individual components of a device and how they work together as a system. On average, Nexxis engages at a TRL score of between 4-6, and we’re increasing this collaboratively to commercialisation through investment and development.
Business outcomes must be the focus
Clients often ask about the best robot or piece of technology to purchase. But it is not the right question to ask. The focus should start at the end and work back. This means companies need to adjust the mindset to thinking about investing in better results and commercial outcomes as opposed to buying a new piece of equipment.
The benefits that robotic technology offers through enhanced onsite capabilities makes the strongest impact. Robotic devices are enablers to better results and commercial outcomes, whether that’s improved safety performance or operating more productively. And it’s this narrative that Generation Robotics 2.0 captures more than anything else.
If you want to chat to us about how we can help your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of the team.
Kind regards
Jason De Silveira
CEO
Nexxis
