RoboBusiness to discuss autonomy challenges in mobile robotics

By Steve Crowe | August 30, 2024

It’s predicted that by 2030, over 1 million mobile robots will be in the field. However, implementation is still complex and the cost of robot downtime is estimated to range from $1,000 to $10,000 per minute. With AI and SLAM systems struggling with real-world variability, what are the real challenges in understanding the total cost of ownership?

For mobile robots to be feasible and improve operational efficiency, customers need performance in real-world environments at an acceptable cost. By focusing on reducing the bill of materials (BoM), teams are making trade-off decisions on performance, while simultaneously incurring silent costs that are not measured or managed.

At RoboBusiness, which takes place Oct. 16-17 in Santa Clara, Calif., Opteran will discuss why Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) should be the focus to help make the right decisions. Jack Pearson, commercial director of Opteran, said BoM is just one important part in a life cycle of costs required to develop, set up, maintain and update an autonomy solution. Yet often it is the main or only cost factor considered in purchasing decisions.

Pearson is giving a talk on Oct. 16 from 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM called “Beyond BoM: Autonomy Challenges in Mobile Robots.” He said that while understanding and measuring TCO is tough, doing so creates a path to long-term, scalable profits and a more competitive product. His talk will explain why autonomy is at the heart of TCO, what costs are secretly undermining margin and customer experience, and how you can measure and solve these issues.

Opteran is a U.K.-based company founded in 2019. Opteran recently commercialized its vision-based approach to robot autonomy by releasing Opteran Mind. It said its algorithms don’t require training, extensive infrastructure, or connectivity for perception and navigation. Opteran won a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for this work.

RoboBusiness will also include more than 60 speakers, over 100 exhibitors and demos on the expo floor, 10+ hours of dedicated networking time, the Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition, a Women in Robotics Luncheon, and more.

Keynotes at RoboBusiness include:

• State of the Industry Panel with ABB, DHL, NVIDIA, Teradyne Robotics Ventures
• Rodney Brooks, co-founder and chief technology officer at Robust AI, as well as co-founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics
• Sergey Levine, co-founder of Physical Intelligence and an associate professor at UC Berkeley
• Claire Delaunay, chief technology officer at farm-ng
• Torrey Smith, co-founder and CEO of Endiatx

RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, which focuses on the design and development of medical devices. Thousands of robotics practitioners from around the world will convene at the Santa Clara Convention Center, so register now to ensure your spot! 

Register now.