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The rapid evolution of software development has changed the way we live, work, and communicate. For example, we can use AI and software to mimic near perfectly our real world in video games, or age people by 50 years instantly in real time on Snapchat, even accurately model the physics of a car crash virtually. However, the development of hardware and robotics has not mirrored this pace, with progress lagging considerably behind. The electric car illustrates this nicely. Whilst this is one of the most celebrated developments in hardware of the past few decades, it was actually first developed in the US in 1890! On top of this, robots still barely affect our lives. You may be asking yourself, where are the robots that should be folding our laundry for us? Or cleaning our bathrooms for us? Well, if you’ve ever wondered the answer to these questions, then below are a few reasons:
- Physical Constraints
One of the most significant factors contributing to the slower development of robotics is the physical limitations imposed by the hardware. While software can be easily updated, modified, and distributed, robotics involves complex mechanical and electrical systems. Designing, building, and modifying these systems require time-consuming processes and resources.
2. High Costs
Developing robotic systems often involves substantial financial investment. In addition to the costs of materials and components, there is a need for specialized equipment and facilities for manufacturing, testing, and iterating designs. The high entry barrier deters many potential innovators and investors, hindering the pace of robotics development.
3. Complexity and Interdependence
Unlike software, robotics is an interdisciplinary field that relies on the interdependence of various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. The complexity of these interactions adds an additional layer of difficulty, requiring the collaboration of experts from multiple fields to work together to develop efficient and effective robotic systems.
4. Safety and Ethical Concerns
The physical nature of robots also raises safety concerns, as they interact with humans and their environment. Ensuring that robots operate safely and ethically requires rigorous testing and compliance with regulations, which can slow down the development process. Moreover, public perception and acceptance of robotics can be influenced by concerns over job displacement and privacy, further hindering their widespread adoption.
5. Lack of Standardization
The robotics industry has not yet established widely accepted standards and protocols, creating compatibility and integration challenges. This lack of standardization limits the ability of robotic systems to work together seamlessly and complicates the development process. In contrast, software development has benefited from standardized programming languages, frameworks, and tools that facilitate collaboration and rapid advancement.
6. Insufficient Data and Algorithms
Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are integral components of advanced robotic systems. However, training AI models for robotics applications often requires large amounts of data and specialized algorithms. Collecting, annotating, and processing such data is time-consuming and resource-intensive, slowing down the overall development of robotic systems.
Conclusion
Hardware/robotics growth has been far behind that of software for a long time now, however, there are compelling reasons to get into this space. For one, because of the closed nature of the industry, the winners have a much larger moat, meaning that the spoils of victory will be gained further into the future. And secondly, software booms do not exist without the hardware that it was built on top of — just imagine the software that would be built for household robots. The means of distribution of this software is where real value is found — after all, Apple is still the most valuable company in the world.
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