Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: guru on February 08, 2010, 10:34:17 AM

Title: Priorities and KPIs in designing Robotic Systems
Post by: guru on February 08, 2010, 10:34:17 AM
I would like to quantify the typical key performance indicators (KPIs) for robotics systems. When we go to design a new robot, what sort of priorities would we assign to the following KPIs?

In no particular order:
a. Low Power Consumption
b. Processing Speed
c. Programmable IO (FPGA, etc)
d. Form (asthetics)
e. Function (usefulness to a particular user, how well it performs at that function)
f. Ruggedness or Reliability
g. Cost
h. Expandability/Upgradability

I would like to see more KPIs you know of and start a discussion about which ones are more important during different phases of Design, Prototyping and Marketing. Personal experience and stories most welcome!

Thanks, Colin

Title: Re: Priorities and KPIs in designing Robotic Systems
Post by: duste83 on February 09, 2010, 12:38:11 PM
The priorities are always a matter of opinion and resources.  That is what makes robotics so intriguing and addictive.  From personal experience the biggest problem is financing.  I've been working on a robot for almost a year and I still have not mounted the drive motors, because of financing.  Everything else is dependant on the designer.
Title: Re: Priorities and KPIs in designing Robotic Systems
Post by: little-c on February 09, 2010, 04:45:10 PM
power consuption is a massive part of the design phase. if you want a robot to do anything it needs power. and power adds wieght which needs more power...... et al


reliablity is high, probably 2nd/3rd. covers a lot though, changes in voltage due to battery going flat, vibration from itself, minor robot enviroment interactions that didn't go to plan...

cost is the biggest limiting factor. the pervalence of robots is limited by the cost of building them. if two motors cost 50 quid, and a sharp ir 10, the robots easily over 100 quid.
Title: Re: Priorities and KPIs in designing Robotic Systems
Post by: guru on February 09, 2010, 10:15:31 PM
I find it hard sometimes to balance the different needs. At first I didnt seem to be that concerned with "Low Power" but then I add up my consumption of the different boards/motors and I gasp at the power requirements, battery size and battery cost! I tend to want for processing speed though since I am looking for visual processing.

Your right, cost is a factor. I tend to lean more towards the gear that is top $$$, but I desire to make useful robotics that would have a market --- which means it must be cheap, correct?

C