Schunk sets out service robot challenges and developments

Roko Tschakarow, business director mobile gripping systems at Schunk, believes there are three central issues that will determine the evolution over coming years. First, the safety aspect for humans and material; second, the legal framework and; third, the development of efficient system manufacturers and integrators for service robotics solutions, provbiding an interface between manufacturer and user. The use of efficient and cost-effective sensors will make it possible in the future to control the performance and force of service robots, in real time. A second important issue is usability. The operation of service robots has to become easier and more intuitive than has been the case to date. Concerning the legal frameworks, Dr Tschakarow says: "There is the question of liability, in case of applications with unmanned systems, for example. Data protection also plays an important role. Additionally, service robots have to record, process and store a wide range of data in order to navigate safely." The system manufacturers and integrators will be the primary drivers of this technology and Dr Tschakarow believes that, similar to the conventional industrial robotics, someone has to combine modules and solutions, plus software and peripherals, with each other to ensure user requirements are met. System manufacturers and integrators may also take over these interface functions into service robotics. There may be established providers or new companies that have expertise in applications of service robotics. Schunk says it will consistently expand and further develop its module program for mobile gripping systems. The most recent example for this is the anthropomorphic 5-finger hand, where the company has successfully integrated the electronics in the wrist. In future, tactile sensors will also give the necessary sensitivity: important, if gripping and handling tasks have to be carried out in unstructured and unpredictable environments. For efficient lightweight arms, Schunk intends to simplify operation and control in future. It is the company's stated long-term goal that users in private and business environments will be able to easily use the modules and assembly groups, even if they don't have experience in programming mechatronic systems. Additionally, the mechatronic gripping modules and lightweight arms will push the development of highly integrated drive assemblies for mobile platforms forward in the forthcoming years, it is believed.