As part of Wednesday’s keynote addresses at AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL, leaders within the robotics industry provided their perspectives on moving from innovative concepts to refined products to solve problem with autonomous systems.

Tim Dykstra, director of strategic partnerships with Boston Dynamics (creators of well-known robot "dog" Spot) and Kay Murphy, a partner in asset optimization with IBM, have both worked in tandem in helping shape projects from the earliest ideas, to developing proof of concept, and finished robotics products that perform a function and solve some type of problem. The journey in getting from such a beginning to an end can be arduous and packed with trial, error, and much relationship building.
 

Capturing Data to Provide Value

Kay Murphy explained that in the development of robotics and autonomous systems, critical thinking must go into the entire design process.  Collecting data without direction is not so productive, whereas applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to data, and subsequently using the right data to make decisions can be the most suitable course to follow.  It is also about apply the appropriate technology to capture data to produce value.

She cites the example of using computer vision to find defects in manufacturing.  Video imaging can detect, find, and signal defects using vision – as they occur – and then necessary action can be taken to intercede. She also notes the same for sound.  When they use sound to monitor a manufacturing iteration, it detects anomalies and signals a probable defect promptly to curtail any losses.

Multiple technologies may converge to perform a specific function that at first may have seemed challenging. Tim Dykstra mentioned that his firm uses a version of spot to help in infrastructure inspection.  IBM worked with Boston Dynamics to integrate AI and perform such inspections.
 

Convergent Technologies Produce Great Value

In their example, the Boston Dynamics Spot robot was deployed to inspect fire extinguishers. The inspection, however, was kicked off by an automated work order system – which may be part of a maintenance management system.

Spot could be started via the work order system. The inspection could then use vision to detect anomalies with the fire extinguisher in position. When spot detects a fire extinguisher not hanging properly from its hook, it alerted maintenance professionals to correct the situation.

Kay Murphy highlighted the importance of gathering multiple stakeholders within an organization early when developing the operationalized robotic development.  For example, IT may be brought in early and so may someone from security.  These would be additional stakeholders, in addition to maintenance professionals who would be the routine users of the robotic action. With cumulative input, better design decisions can be made. 
 

Adding Value Through Innovation

In another keynote the same morning, Thomas Walker, CEO of DroneUp and Eric Grubman, the chair of DroneUp's Board (and the former executive vice president of the National Football League) spoke about adding value through innovation. DroneUp has been growing rapidly - starting with just 12 employees in January of 2021 and now expanding to many hundreds of employees. 

Tom Walker said he is often asked if they are a software company or a hardware company. He says they tend to be a software company and more hardware agnostic.  They partner with many hardware companies to produce, in the end, services that subsequently produce revenue.

He likened his marketplace to hockey, where the puck is the target of the business.  Everyone chases the puck, but the radius of where the puck is going to be is contingent upon what the regulatory environment might look like and influence the puck and its radius.

Walker also said that when it comes to adding value through innovation, a challenge is the need to grow at a proper pace.  He mentions the influx of new employees and that the industry is not too old; everyone is new. He says the ideal hire is when he finds someone who knows more than the existing ranks know. In growing, it is important to not just seek hard qualifications and years of experience, as it is to be able to grow with workers within a culture of collaboration.

The keynotes were loaded with examples and viewpoints of how innovation, growth, development, and the advancement of technological applications of autonomous systems is moving fast.  Companies and stakeholders will do well to take great care in embracing the many facets of technology and nurturing the growth.  In the end, this will be instrumental in helping them operational robots.