Page 44 - Toucpad robotics C11

Example: For a project developing a humanoid service robot, the planning phase would determine how many
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mechanical engineers are needed for the body, how many AI experts for the brain, the cost of advanced force sensors,
and the budget for prototyping materials.
Timeline and Scheduling
Breaking down the entire project into smaller, manageable tasks.
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Estimating the time required for each task (e.g., “3 weeks for CAD design of the arm,” “2 months for AI algorithm
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development,” “1 month for sensor integration”).
Creating a detailed schedule, often using tools like Gantt charts, to show dependencies between tasks (e.g., you can’t
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build the control unit until the PCB design is finalised).
Impact: A well-defined timeline helps track progress and identify potential delays early on.
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Risk Management
Identifying potential problems or challenges that could arise during the project (e.g., a critical component is
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unavailable, the AI algorithm doesn’t perform as expected, budget overruns, safety issues).
Developing contingency plans to mitigate these risks.
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Example: A risk identified for an autonomous delivery drone project might be “unexpected adverse weather
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conditions.” The mitigation plan could include designing a more robust weather-resistant shell or developing
algorithms for safe emergency landings.
Quality Standards
Defining the criteria for success and performance (e.g., “The robotic arm must achieve a positioning accuracy of ± 0.1
mm,” “The autonomous vehicle must detect pedestrians with 99% accuracy,” “The robot must operate without failure for
at least 1000 hours”).
These standards guide testing and ensure the final product meets expectations.

Execution: Bringing the Plan to Life

This is the phase where the actual work of building the robot takes place, guided by the meticulously laid-out plan. It’s
the “doing” part.
Task Assignment and Team Coordination

u Assigning specific tasks to individual team members or sub-teams.
Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration between different disciplines (e.g., mechanical engineers
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sharing CAD models with manufacturing, software developers testing code on new hardware).
Example: The mechanical team designs the chassis, the electrical team designs the power system, and the software
team starts writing the navigation code, all working in parallel but coordinating regularly.
Component Procurement and Manufacturing

Purchasing raw materials and off-the-shelf components (e.g., microcontrollers, standard sensors).
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Manufacturing custom parts using techniques like CNC machining, 3D printing, and PCB fabrication, as discussed
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earlier.
Impact: Efficient procurement ensures parts are available when needed, preventing costly delays.
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Assembly and Integration
Physically assembling the robot’s mechanical structure.
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Integrating electrical components, sensors, and actuators.
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Loading and configuring the control software and AI algorithms onto the robot’s processing unit. This is often the most
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challenging part, as different systems need to work together seamlessly.
Example: The robot’s frame is assembled, motors are bolted in, sensors are wired up, and finally, the central control
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board is installed and connected to everything.
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Touchpad Robotics - XI