When it comes to robots, most people don’t know much about them, except for the knowledge they’ve seen on Tv. Huge metallic objects that will one day rise and take over humanity.
But that can never be farther from the truth. When looking to invest in automation and robots, you need to know the ins and outs of technology. How it works, what makes it work, and how it can help take your business to the next level.
You also need to do your research on robot software. With so many things happening in robotics, you can’t afford to forget about the software.
Below, we’ll show you five crucial fact about robot software.
1. There’s no ‘one for all’ software
Just as there are numerous types of robots in the market today, there are also hundreds of robot software in the market. You, therefore, shouldn’t fall prey to the ‘one for all’ notion. Depending on your robot’s design and specifications, you should get software compatible with it.
Keep in mind that both the software and hardware of the robot need to be compatible with the software you choose. This is why what works so well for your competitor may not be successful for you.
2. Robot software programming doesn’t have to be hard
The term ‘programming’ sends chills among most people who’ve never had experience in the field. But if you’ve done some bit of it, you know that it’s merely a few simple instructions. And with the development of robotic technology, programming robots is much easier than you think.
Companies like Universal Robots have come with easier to program collaborative robots which don’t require any prior experience to programming. This makes it easier for your employees to work with the robot.
It’s, therefore, up to you to choose the complexity of the software you want for your robots. The easier it is, the better for your production.
3. Robots security is a thing
Before becoming a machine, think of a robot as any other software on your computer. The same cybercriminal attacks that your computer and mobile phases every day can also be redirected to the robots – which is scary.
It all boils down to how secure the OS and other software you chose for the robot are.
Like all other software, the robot software can be manipulated to cause damage to your products, harm your employees and eventually sabotage your production.
As such, you have to be mindful of the security of your robot software. Seek help from experts to find ways to improve the security and privacy of your robots and the data it stores.
4. Cost of robot software is going up!
As the cost of robots come plummeting down, the costs of robot software is taking a different direction. With so many features being integrated into their designs and functionalities, you can only expect their price to sky-rocket.
For instance, developers are now working more than just precision and speed in mind. They have to consider the safety, security and convenience of this software for manufacturers. This drastically increases the prices.
5. Your robot is as good as its software
To sum it up, the one thing you have to keep in mind is that your robot is only as good as its software. It can complete the tasks specified in its programming, and it can adapt to just as many tasks as the software allows.
This is why it’s crucial to take your time before investing in robotic software. You need to clearly define your goals and expectations from the software, and find out its capability beforehand.
With good software, only the skies can limit your production prowess.
Final Thoughts
When looking to invest in robots for your industry, you need to go beyond the surface and really learn more about them. Find out how well they fit in your production space and how well they suit your industry goals.
The more informed you are about the robot and its software, the better you’ll be when purchasing the robot!