Keep It Simple For Robot's Sake

In the world of robotics and automation, there will always be shiny new gadgets and technologies vying for our attention. But it's important to stay focused on the task at hand and not get sidetracked by the latest shiny object that comes our way. Otherwise, we might end up wasting time and energy on something that ultimately doesn't matter

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Tommy's Take

Alright, let's talk about keeping it simple in robotics and automation. Now, you might think that more technology and complexity is always better, but sometimes that's just not the case. Sometimes, less is more. But let’s reflect on what’s important when it comes to an automated system…throughput, accuracy, precision, and reliability.

First of all, keeping things simple can save you some serious dough. The more components and features you pack into a system, the more expensive it becomes. But by focusing on the essentials and keeping things streamlined, you can cut costs and still get the job done.

And let's not forget about reliability. You know what's more prone to failure than a simple system? A complicated one. The more bells and whistles you add, the more opportunities there are for something to go wrong. So if you want a system that's dependable and rock-solid, simplicity is the way to go.

Now, some people might think that a complex system is necessary to get top-notch performance. But that's not always the case. In fact, by focusing on the core functionality of a system and eliminating unnecessary features, you can often optimize performance and speed things up. Whenever I design a machine or system the first thing I do is write down what is the baseline goal of the system, or better yet if you have a white board around write it there. Cause what I find tends to happen is that some genius will come in and say, “hey we need to add….”. If you have this written down you can ask a simple question. How does what you’re asking for help with XYZ. If it doesn’t then it’s not needed.

And when it comes to usability, simplicity is essential. If a system is too complex or intimidating, nobody's gonna want to use it. Oh and this happens a lot in our space. You’d think a rocket scientist invented some of these automated systems out there. All kinds of flashing lights, unnecessary switches, etc. I remember being at a facility once where the Ops manager was explaining how their conveying system worked (a $10M conveyor in a DC). He said their is a whole loop of the system that goes unused and it’s the joke of the warehouse crew. But by keeping things simple and easy to understand, you can create a system that's user-friendly and accessible to a wider range of operators.

Finally, let's talk about scalability. As a system grows in size and complexity, it becomes more and more difficult to manage and maintain. But by designing systems with simplicity in mind, you can create a foundation that's much easier to scale over time. Design systems to be grown. Don’t create silos of nonsense! Let’s be real…coding with scalability in mind doesn’t take any more time than not.

So there you have it, folks. The case for keeping it simple in robotics and automation. Sure, there will always be situations where complexity is necessary. But if you want a system that's cost-effective, reliable, high-performing, user-friendly, and scalable, then sometimes less really is more. So go out and there and stop building boat anchors!

News of the Day

• So what’s up with the RaaS model? I was a nay sayer back when I first heard of it and I’m still not sold on it….apparently neither is Fabric. They’ve gone from RaaS to selling the hardware. What I find really interesting is that what they’re doing isn’t new yet they’ve raised $300M…to build an integration company. 🤯

• Northwestern University is onto something big. Swarm robotics big. Swarm robotics is a game changer and the sooner it’s implemented in our space the better…and once it makes it out to self driving cars we’ll see traffic accidents and traffic congestion be reduced. I’m curious if we’ll be able to get away from having stop lights and round abouts (or traffic circles if you’re from across the pond)

• VC money only leads to 2 things. The death of a company or IPO….

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What’s an AC RIO?

Alright, alright, listen up, people. We're talking about this thing called an AC RIO, or as I like to call it, the "Analog and Communication Reconfigurable Input/Output" module. It's basically a computer made specifically for industrial automation. It's got all sorts of inputs and outputs, plus a built-in processor, so you can control and monitor all kinds of equipment and processes.

The great thing about an AC RIO is how flexible it is. You can program it to do pretty much whatever you want, and it can handle all sorts of communication protocols. It's perfect for those situations where you need to monitor or control multiple devices or sensors, or when you need to act fast for real-time control.

So, when should you use one of these bad boys? Well, there are a few situations where an AC RIO might be just what you need:

1. When you need flexible I/O capabilities: You want to keep tabs on multiple devices or sensors? AC RIO's got you covered.

2. When you need real-time control: You need to act fast and with precision? AC RIO can handle it.

3. When you need to adapt to changing requirements: You don't want to have to swap out hardware every time something changes? AC RIO is programmable, baby.

Now, if you're thinking about getting yourself an AC RIO, there are some things to consider:

I/O capacity: Make sure you're getting one with enough analog and digital inputs and outputs to handle your needs.

Processing power: You want one with enough power to handle your application without breaking a sweat.

Integration and compatibility: Make sure your AC RIO can play nice with your existing automation system and other devices or sensors.

So there you have it, folks. The AC RIO - a flexible, powerful tool for industrial automation. Just make sure you consider those factors when you're buying one, and you'll be good to go.

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