[caption id="attachment_6734" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Modular Robots Image Credit: electrive.com[/caption]

Modular robotics is increasingly becoming a niche market as different industry leaders are significantly turning to it. This robotic system consists of autonomous and programmable modules that are physically connected to each other. Modular robotics typically focuses on developing a single section of a robot that can coalesce with other modules or robots to form a different kind of robot. The modular robots are capable of changing their configuration as per the environmental conditions.

The demand of modular robotics is relentlessly growing across the electronics and automotive industry. By leveraging this, most manufacturers are focusing on creating a specific product that has high efficiency in these industries. According to the report, the global market of modular robotics is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14 percent from US$6,876.9 million in 2019 to US$26,413.6 million in 2027.

Modular multi-configurable robots have come a long way and are known to have started in 1990 with Cellular Robotic System (CEBOT) from Nagoya University. The major advantage of using modular robots is to give the system with versatility and configurability to increase the ability to deal with mistakes, make the system scalable, and minimize the production cost as only one or few module types need to be mass produced and therefore eradicating the need for assembly between parts.

Modular Robots in Factory Production

As modular robots offer the solution and the flexibility to address the needs of smart factories, as well as client expectations, they have the ability to improve productivity and efficiency. The first successful modular robot came into view when AIST and Tokyo Tech developed the MTRAN Mark I in 1999. In 2019, Barobo, Inc. announced the availability of Linkbot Complete Kit and Linkbot Labs 2.0, the modular robots. These robots were created to be an educational tool for children, who are intuitively able to begin working and playing with the Linkbot when first encountering it.

Moreover, one modular type is modular robot work cells. Allied Technology is a machine builder and robotics integrator that creates flexible, modular robot cells. The company uses cobots like the e-Series from Universal Robots in order to create robot cells that are aimed to be easily deployed. These work cells are designed to require minimal modification to suit specific use cases, and the software enables companies to simply re-train waypoints if the configuration changes.

Reshaping Electronics with Modular Robots

Modular robots are set to deliver considerable opportunities in the electronics industry. The robots in this field provide the ability to enhance the efficiency of the fabrication process and the integrity of the production process. With the help of modular robotics, electronics manufacturing companies give their lines more flexibility that provides the modular robot a longer lifetime with the manufacturer it serves, along with improving the productivity.

Modular robots also provide manufacturers the ability to work a lean-based production line, while improving their automated testing processes for electrical components, including equipment tests, and supplement capacity for the product line to meet the demand of the consumers.

In the automotive industry, modular robot systems offer a huge capability. In partnership with an automotive partner, innovators at the NASA Johnson Space Center have built the Modular Robotic Vehicle (MRV). This vehicle encompasses numerous innovative technologies that are available for licensing as a whole system or individually as components. This fully electric vehicle is compatible with busy urban environments, industrial complexes, or large resort areas.

Moreover, with increasing demand and adoption of robots in the electronics and automotive industries, modular robotics is expected to emerge as lucrative market opportunities across industries.