There is little doubt that robots, in many different forms, will play a part in our future. In the automotive industry – particularly on the production line – they have been around in a basic form for many years but as technology, computing power, and engineering prowess advances, so do the scenarios in which they can be used.
A case in point is Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) recent announcement that they are using a robotic dog at its electric vehicle (EV) build and test facility in Coventry in the UK.
The company says that the robot, dubbed ‘Rover’ (no surprise there!), can highlight potential operational issues and equipment wear and tear early, ensuring test and development continues to run on schedule ahead of the launch of Range Rover Electric.
The robot dog comes from Boston Dynamics, the U.S.-based company that has been in the business of designing and building robots for many years and which is now part of Hyundai.
Fully automated to follow a range of pre-set routes, Jaguar says that Rover conducts up to 24 patrols each day and night, using AI to do so and navigate high-traffic areas. JLR says the robot continuously takes measurements and inspects valves and machinery. Advanced onboard sensors include those that enable the robot to ‘hear’ potential gas leaks that would otherwise not be sensed by human ears, and thermal sensors to evaluate battery temperatures quickly.
The company says it is scoping future use scenarios for a fleet of robotic ‘dogs’ across its entire global industrial footprint.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (October 2024)
10 October 2024