Introduction
To make a simple robot one can use the things mentioned in the following segment. Aluminum is one of the most preferred choices for building the body, as it is light weight and durable. If some one makes a flying robot, then balsa wood will be an automatic choice. Carbon fiber can be used for different purposes for making a robot. The best material to make a robot chassis is HDPE, which is cheaper than aluminum. Styrofoam is an extremely cheap product and can be used for shaping the final product. Other than that tape, Velcro and some other basic objects will be needed to make a simple robot (Garthwaite, 491-508).
Background of Robots
However, if one wants to make a complex robot, it is totally a different ball game. Huge investments and many hands are needed to make a complex robot. In recent times we can divide the robots in three broad divisions, like “mobile robots, industrial robots and the service robots” (Krishna 249-269). Mobile robots are not fixed in one location, while industrial robots are basically fixed in one location. In recent times the most important works in robotics are going on in the sphere of mobile robots. They can be found in military, security systems and even in industrial helps. Even consumer products have mobile robot installed in them (Carballo 609-635).
Discussion
The higher end robots are really costly to make, and the materials that are needed to make them are really expensive too. At the beginning the makers must develop software that will control the robot and subsequently guide it in its actions. There are many easy ways to install and subsequently program software in the market, and some even decide to make their own software programs to control the robot. Complex sensors (like touch sensors to feel the environment, sound sensor to react to sound, light sensor to detect light and color, ultrasonic sensors for enabling the robot to see, measure the distance between two objects and finally reacting to movements) are needed for the robot so that it can take commands. Another very important thing for the making of the robot is the programming software and chips (Ziparo 943-967).
Analysis
The recent inflation and the subsequent price hike have made its impact World wide, and the subsequent effects have come to the Robotics industry also. The prices of all the materials that are needed for making robots have risen. Along with that the rate of skilled labors are also getting higher. All these have contributed to the cause that prices of the products are getting astronomical day by day.
But there can be some measures to control the rising prices. The organizations that make robots have to find out materials that are cheaper but useful in making robots. Materials such as silicon can be used in the robot making process. In recent economical context, silicon is quite cheaper and so it can be used for the process. Sometimes it is more cost efficient to make a single robot for multiple operations rather than making multiple robots for different operations. This will be quite cost effective in the aspects of both production and maintenance (Garthwaite, 491-508).
Results
Installation of a robot in the office or premises of an organization can increase the pace of the work and sometimes increases the accuracy in a definitive way. But one has to remember in the case that a robot can be handled only by skilled technicians, and the skilled technicians are not that economical in today’s market. And the management will also have to think about the maintenance cost too.
However, on the other hand a robot can decrease the number of labors working in a plant and in this way it saves a lot of resources for the management while producing better quality goods. This is a very important point for the company and it certainly helps to stabilize the market position. Robots have a very significant role in researches. They can determine even the minutest results flawlessly and this really helps in the outcome of the results (Krishna 249-269).
Conclusion
It is a fact that the cost of making complex robots are getting higher day by day, but still we cannot deny the fact that the robots have made life a lot easier for the human race. Other than that, there are many other utilities of the robots. As the science is progressing in recent times, we can be sure that it is a matter of time when we will get some economical alternatives of the materials that are needed to make a robot (Garthwaite, 491-508). It will surely reduce the production values and finally the cost of robots will also minimize. So there will be a massive public use of robots.
Works Cited
Carballo, Andre. “Autonomous robot navigation in outdoor cluttered pedestrian walkways.” Journal of Field Robotics, 26.8, (2009): 609-635.
Garthwaite, Walter. “Robotic devices for water main in-pipe inspection: A survey.” Journal of Field Robotics, 27.4, (2010): 491-508.
Krishna, Murli. “Reactive navigation of multiple moving agents by collaborative resolution of conflicts.” Journal of Robotic Systems, 22.5, (2005): 249-269.
Ziparo, Victor. “Towards heterogeneous robot teams for disaster mitigation: Results and performance metrics from RoboCup rescue.” Journal of Field Robotics, 24.11-12, (2007): 943-967.