Get to Innovating Before You Get Replaced By A Robot

Robots may be smart, but can they make a killer guacamole? I don't think so!

Meme of the Day

Tommy's Take

Oh, hey there! It's your favorite newsletter jockie, here to talk about how to be innovative in the robots and automation industry. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Tommy, what do you know about robotics?" Well, let me tell you, I may not be a robotics expert, but I do know a thing or two about being innovative.

So, let's get started. First off, it's important to keep up with emerging technologies. You know what they say, "you snooze, you lose." So, don't fall asleep on the job and miss out on new tech that could change the game. Read newsletters like this one and stay plugged into the latest and greatest.

Next up, collaboration is key. You can't do it all on your own, even if you're a badass like me. Working with other experts can bring fresh perspectives and help you come up with innovative solutions that you might not have thought of otherwise. And hey, who doesn't love bouncing ideas off other smart, sexy people?

Now, let's talk about the user experience. You can have the most high-tech, cutting-edge robot on the market, but if it's a pain in the ass to use, no one's gonna want it. So, make sure you're designing with the end user in mind. Put yourself in their shoes, and make sure your robot is efficient, intuitive, and easy to use.

Speaking of being user-friendly, let's not forget about sustainability. The world is changing, and we need to adapt. Incorporating sustainable practices and technologies into your products and processes can not only help the planet but also give you a competitive edge in the market.

But wait, there's more! Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. That's how we got the chimichanga, after all. Embrace experimentation and learn from your failures. And hey, if you need someone to test out those new robots, you know who to call.

Last but not least, foster a culture of innovation. Encourage your team to share their ideas, and reward creativity and continuous improvement. Because let's face it, the only thing better than a smart, sexy person is a smart, sexy person with a great idea.

So, there you have it, folks. Some tips from your favorite automation superhero on how to be innovative in the robots and automation industry. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some robots to charge. Chimichangas on me!

News of the Day

• What does $60M buy you? A hope and a dream! For the team at Fulfil Solutions it buys them more time to survive and prove their tech and business model works. Looks like a sweet platform with piece picking vertical lifts and amrs running around. I just get suspicious when I hear VC money is involved. A lot of times it’s vaporware..

• One of the biggest challenges robotics companies face is making the perfect humanoid robot. But looks like the reality is that no one wants a perfect humanoid robot as Disney demonstrates with Judy. Leave it to Disney to build a robot that is humans can relate to. What’s creepier a robot that demonstrates no emotion and can terrorize you or one that has human like flaws and can terrorize you?

• This probably slipped under your radar (pun intented)but have you heard of the drone company that was awarded a $1.2M contract to provide perimeter security drones to the US Space Force?

Helping us with lunch money this week

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Who’s Your Automation Daddy?

Don’t Lie-Dar to Me

Yo, what's good people?I’m back at it again with another lesson on the latest tech. Today, we're gonna talk about something that sounds like it's from a science fiction movie - lidar. You might be thinking, "What the hell is lidar?" Well, let me tell you, it's some cool sh*t.

Lidar is an acronym that stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It's a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to measure distances and create 3D maps of objects and environments. It's like a futuristic game of Marco Polo, but instead of shouting "Marco" and "Polo," we're shooting lasers and capturing data.

Now, there are two types of lidar - digital and analog. Digital lidar, also known as time-of-flight (ToF) lidar, uses a digital signal to capture and process the laser pulses. It's like taking a picture with a digital camera, where the data is captured in binary form.

On the other hand, analog lidar uses an analog signal to capture and process the laser pulses. It's like taking a picture with a film camera, where the data is captured as an analog signal.

So, what are the advantages of each? Well, digital lidar has a higher resolution and accuracy than analog lidar. It's like comparing the precision of a sniper rifle to a shotgun. Digital lidar can capture more points per second, which means it can create more detailed and accurate maps. Plus, the data is captured in digital format, which makes it easier to process and analyze.

Analog lidar, on the other hand, has a wider dynamic range and can capture more detail in low-light conditions. It's like comparing a black-and-white photograph to a color photograph. Analog lidar can capture more details, such as subtle variations in color and brightness, which are often lost in digital lidar scans. Additionally, analog lidar is less prone to interference from other sources, like sunlight or ambient light.

Now, why would you pick one over the other? Well, it depends on what you need it for. If you need high-speed, high-accuracy mapping, digital lidar is the way to go. It's great for applications like autonomous vehicles, where speed and accuracy are crucial. It's like a cheetah on the African savannah, fast and deadly accurate.

But if you need to capture detailed data in low-light conditions, analog lidar might be the better choice. It's like a ninja in the shadows, capturing all the details without getting caught. Analog lidar is great for applications like archaeology and environmental monitoring, where you need to capture detailed data in varying lighting conditions.

One of the biggest challenges facing lidar technology is cost. Lidar sensors can be expensive, and the high cost of sensors can limit the use of lidar in some applications. However, with the increasing demand for lidar technology, there's been a push to develop cheaper, more efficient sensors. This has led to the development of solid-state lidar, which uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to control the lasers. Solid-state lidar sensors are smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective than traditional lidar sensors.

Another challenge facing lidar technology is the size of the data sets generated by lidar scans. Lidar scans can generate terabytes of data, which can be difficult to process and store. This has led to the development of cloud-based lidar processing services, which allow users to upload lidar data to the cloud and process it remotely. This makes it easier for users to access and process large data sets without having to invest in expensive hardware and software.

Despite these challenges, lidar technology is rapidly advancing and finding new applications. One of the most promising areas is autonomous vehicles. Lidar sensors can help self-driving cars "see" their environment and navigate safely. By creating a detailed 3D map of the environment, lidar sensors can help autonomous vehicles avoid obstacles and stay on the road.

Lidar is also being used in agriculture to help farmers optimize their crops. By creating detailed maps of crop fields, lidar sensors can help farmers identify areas that need more water, fertilizer, or other inputs. This can help reduce waste and increase yields.

In the construction industry, lidar is being used to create 3D models of buildings and structures. This can help architects and engineers design buildings more efficiently and accurately. Lidar can also be used to monitor the condition of buildings and structures, identifying areas that need repair or maintenance.

In the entertainment industry, lidar is being used to create immersive virtual reality experiences. By capturing detailed 3D scans of real-world environments, lidar sensors can create realistic virtual environments that users can explore and interact with.

So, there you have it - a rundown of digital and analog lidar and their respective advantages. As lidar technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more applications and innovations in the future. Who knows, maybe one day we'll all have our own lidar sensors, shooting lasers and capturing 3D maps of our surroundings. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for more lidar news and developments. Adios amigos!

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