2018 was another year of advancements in the field of robotics, including in the sectors for which Ultralife Corporation manufacture batteries (such as drones, bomb disposal, surgical and logistics). Focusing on those four sectors, we look back at the main robotics developments over the past year and predict the drones and robots we are likely to see emerge in 2019, before discussing whether new batteries will be needed to power them.
Rob Brown
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Although it’s only January, OEMs are already creating new products to tempt buyers next Christmas. One dilemma that often occurs is choosing a suitable power source for a product which has never existed. On such untrodden ground, there are many avenues to consider, which is where speaking to an experienced battery designer and manufacturer like Accutronics can be invaluable.
Depending on the requirements of your project; off-the-shelf Inspired Energy, Entellion or Ultralife Corporation batteries may be best suited. Where a pre-engineered battery is not readily available a custom solution such as our Accupro service may be considered.
India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2024, making it an attractive target market for product manufacturers in the rest of the world. However, foreign manufacturers who intend to export to India are required to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration for both the device and its batteries (separately). Accutronics are well-placed to obtain BIS registration for batteries, however it's a time-consuming process with multiple challenges.
In the United States, the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 states that it is a legal requirement for hotels and motels to have ‘hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors in each guestroom in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 72’.
According to PR Newswire, the wearable medical devices market is expected to be worth $14.41bn by 2022. Developments in technology are paving the way for smaller, lighter devices with an increasing range of features. However, OEMs must rely on compact batteries to power them.
Retail giants like Amazon are making headlines with their attempts to improve logistics operations with the use of drones. Yet original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should not forget the need for logistics assistance on the ground. Although the expense and labor involved with utilizing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) may have previously deterred many organisations from adopting this technology; developments in the field look set to increase demand.
Due to its excellent energy density and high number of discharge cycles; Lithium-ion is one of the most popular battery chemistries found in the home (in smartphones, fitness trackers) and the workplace (robotics, Medtech). Devices that used SLA batteries are now using LiFePO4 Lead Acid Replacement that are lighter with enhanced cycle life. It’s therefore no surprise that cell manufacturers and research institutes are undertaking research and development to advance this technology.
Tripp Lite(1) and Ametek Powervar(2) inverters bring AC power to many existing medical carts, which is why Ultralife Corporation has qualified its new smart U1 battery for use with them(3).
